Pentecost 2010

Fr. Bob Struzynski, OFM, and Paul Kline offer their thoughts about Pentecost. You're invited to share your thoughts and reflections.

************************
READINGS

Acts 2: 1-11

When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were.

Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.

Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven staying in Jerusalem. At this sound, they gathered in a large crowd, but they were confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language. They were astounded, and in amazement they asked, “Are not all these people who are speaking Galileans? Then how does each of us hear them in his native language? We are Parthians, Medes, and Elamites, inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya near Cyrene, as well as travelers from Rome, both Jews and converts to Judaism, Cretans and Arabs, yet we hear them speaking in our own tongues of the mighty acts of God.”

1 Cor 12:3b-7, 12-13

Brothers and sisters:

No one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit.

As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons, and we were all given to drink of one Spirit.

John 20: 19-23

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”

And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.”

************************

By Bob Struzynski, OFM

I have been a prison chaplain for 16 years now and one thing that has impressed me is the number of men who have had genuine religious conversions in prison. This is not the “jailhouse religion” often spoken about in a pejorative sense, but a real, deep experience of God as a much needed “higher power.” There is first an experience of powerlessness over some addiction and an experience of an absolute need for a power greater than oneself, followed by a surrendering to a Higher Power. The result is a relationship with God now that is real, personal and meaningful, often for the first time in one's life.

It seems to me we all need such a conversion today without going to prison to find it. We need a fresh experience of our need for the “Power on High” - the Advocate who will be with us always, teach us all we need to know and remind us of all that Jesus taught us. We need to realize that we cannot do it on our own. When the test comes we fail without the help of the Holy Spirit.

Pope Benedict while flying to Portugal for his recent visit to the shrine at Fatima, told reporters that the church has always been tormented by “problems of its own making, a tendency that is being witnessed today in a truly terrifying way.” The prosecution of the church today connected with the clerical sex abuse scandal the Pontiff said is “born from the sins within the church” and the church needs to “profoundly relearn penitence, accept purification, learn forgiveness, but, also, justice.”

I think that means that, above all, we need to realize our need for our higher power, the Holy Spirit, in order to meet the challenges of our day. We simply cannot do it on our own, yet if we live on the surface level of our culture that is the message we “absorb.” That, perhaps coupled with a tendency toward arrogance in us, can cause a terrible fall when the challenge comes our way. You don't need to be a Bishop to know that!

Nor do you need to be a priest, but recently this priest has been led by the Spirit to pray more fervently than ever the last part of the prayer that Jesus left us. I still say it as we did in Jamaica with a few additional words: “do not bring us to the test we cannot pass but deliver us out of the clutches of our own created evil”.

Come Holy Spirit. Come!

************************

By Paul Kline

Reflecting on the readings for Pentecost, my imagination has been captured by the images of "each" and "together". The story of Pentecost paints a picture of Jesus’ friends and family “all in one place together”. Jesus speaks to all of them, shows his hands and his side to all of them, and blesses all of them with his peace. Through the intimate sharing of his very breath, they all receive his spirit.

At the same time, the readings also note that the Spirit “came to rest on each one of them”. Paul’s message to the Corinthians offers a beautiful, almost rhythmic movement from “all” to “each”, from “different” to “same”, and from “many” to “one”. I am reminded that individuality and collectivism are not in competition and need not be experienced as opposites. We gather together, pray together, sing together, grieve together, and suffer together. At the very same time, we listen and respond to God who whispers to each one of us a private message of love and mercy, inviting us into a personal relationship of love, calling us to realize our “true self” – a self unlike any other.

For me (and I think for so many of us) the mountain offers an experience of Church that powerfully expresses this dimension of the Pentecost experience. We may arrive as “outsiders” but, through the grace of warm hospitality, we are transformed into “one who belongs”. We “lose ourselves” as we burrow deeper into the peace of the mountain community, yet, at the same time, we are “seen”, “heard” and cherished by that community for our uniqueness.

What a joyful paradox!

Palm Sunday and Holy Week Reflection

Mt. Irenaeus Reflections for Palm Sunday and Holy Week 2010:

Voices from the Mountain and from the Valley

This year, Palm Sunday arrives at a time when many friends of Mt. Irenaeus feel the acute stab of grief at the passing of our beloved brother and friend, Dan Hurley, ofm. Perhaps it is a special blessing that we have the opportunity to grieve our loss during these prayerful days of Holy Week.

We invite you to join us in our remembering and in our contemplation. Let us pray together and teach one another as we walk the journey that leads to the cross and to the exquisite sweetness of Easter morning. Father Lou begins with a reflection rooted in the readings from the Palm Sunday liturgy. Having listened to Father Lou’s gentle teaching, several members of mountain Sojourners offer responses.

Reflections for Palm Sunday, 2010

Lou McCormack, ofm

The readings for Palm Sunday this year are from Isaiah (50:4-7), Paul’s letter to the Phillipians (2: 6-11), and from Luke’s account of the Passion of Jesus (22: 14 – 23: 56).

Palm Sunday (or Passion Sunday since the Gospel is the reading of the passion of Jesus) brings us to the end of our Lenten journey. It is also the threshold of the holiest week in the year for Christians.

Part of our share in the passion of Jesus this year is the absence of our brother Dan Hurley,ofm who died on March 13^th. Dan loved the meaning and memory of Holy Week; he will be with us in a powerful way this Holy Week.

Paul in the letter to the Phillipians encourages us to have the same mind in us that was in Jesus. That mind of Jesus is total self-giving as He became one of us for our salvation. Jesus is the love of God the Father poured out on the earth for all time.

In an attempt to help us enter into the mind of Christ, the evangelists - Luke this year - have told His story. It was their hope that believers could move beyond logic to understand the love that moved Jesus. It was the desire of the evangelists that readers put aside their objections and allow themselves to be taught by this great mystery.

In narrating Jesus’ passion, Luke brings his own insight by repeatedly affirming the Lord’s innocence. Only in Luke does the centurion declare that Jesus was an innocent man, does Pilate issue a triple verdict of “innocent” upon the falsely accused Jesus, and does the trial before Herod get mentioned when Jesus is again declared innocent. Luke shows us through these declarations of innocence that Jesus is the suffering servant of Isaiah who willingly suffered and died, but in the end was vindicated by God in the resurrection.

The passion of Jesus continues today in so many ways and people. We do not open ourselves again to hear the word to mainly engage in some form of sympathetic catharsis. We open ourselves to this living message of love and sacrifice and pain and dying and sin and unjustice so as to be changed by it, graced by it and moved by it to ease the ongoing suffering of the Body of Christ.

Let’s not just weep for Jesus on the way, but give ourselves over to those whose lives continue to be painful. We are called, like Simon of Cyrene, to help alleviate suffering by shouldering some of another person’s cross. Following Jesus means seeking solidarity with the suffering of others and working for their liberation.

Peace and Joy!

Sojourner Reflection for Palm Sunday, 2010

Mike Fenn offers the following memory of Father Dan Hurley:

“I had the great blessing of spending a good amount of time with Father Dan over the past twenty years and I carry many vivid memories in my heart. The one I recall most powerfully now, during our time of grieving, is from this past January when I was sharing evening prayer with him and the rest of the Friar community. Fr. Dan's eyesight had become very poor, yet his desire to open himself to God's word never diminished. There he sat with his glasses on, using a large magnifying glass and holding a psalm book as close to his face as he could. It was as if he was reading for the first time, not wanting to miss a word. Fr. Dan lived his life, as Fr Lou speaks above, listening to Gods message, constantly being changed by it, graced by it, and moved by it.”

Kate Nolan Clemens reflects on the power of service:

Lou's reflections help to focus my thinking and perspective around keeping others in mind and under our care. Jesus sacrificed His life for us... what can we do for others in our daily lives that might lessen the suffering of others? What can we do on a human level that might make even the smallest impact, possibly multiplied by doing it every day? Yesterday was Bona Responds Day. I spent a few hours with one of our sons at a soup kitchen/shelter. We had the humbling experience of witnessing - first-hand - the suffering of our fellow neighbors, the innocent -- so close, yet so very far away from what we know in our own lives. I'm thankful today for so much and glad for the inspiration of the Gospel and Lou's words that help to re-focus us.

Paul Kline responds:

Kate’s story teaches me that service, rooted in humility, can open my eyes and heart to God’s presence in those we are privileged to feed, clothe, and comfort. We are reminded by Father Lou that, as we approach the Gospel with an open heart, we experience a deeper awareness of Jesus’ love for us. Mike’s simple and beautiful story helps us to remember Father Dan Hurley as a man whose hunger to hear God’s voice could not be restrained by the limitations of age or infirmity. We see the humility of our friar-friend at evening prayer and, encouraged by his example and by Father Lou’s teaching, we open ourselves to the simple beauty and power of the stories of Palm Sunday and Holy Week. We see Jesus entering Jerusalem riding a colt - an itinerant preacher with no home, no wealth, and no earthly power. We see Jesus bending low in love for his friends, tenderly washing their feet. We hear the voice of Jesus on the cross offering forgiveness to the criminal who dies next to him. Perhaps we, too, ache with hunger to hear God speak tender words of love and mercy to us? I pray that I am open to hear God’s voice in the words and actions of those I meet this week – and in those moments of silence and contemplation that Holy Week offers to me.

We welcome your voice!

(To share your thoughts, post a comment below on the Mountain's blog or on the Mountain's Facebook Page.)

(Mt. Irenaeus Web Site)

Ash Wednesday Reflection

Br. Kevin Kriso, OFM, and Joe Aini offer their thoughts about Ash Wednesday. You're invited to share your thoughts and reflections.

************************
READINGS

Reading I: Joel 12: 12-18

Even now, says the LORD, 
return to me with your whole heart, 
with fasting, and weeping, and mourning; 
Rend your hearts, not your garments, 
and return to the LORD, your God. 
For gracious and merciful is he, 
slow to anger, rich in kindness, 
and relenting in punishment. 
Perhaps he will again relent 
and leave behind him a blessing, 
Offerings and libations 
for the LORD, your God.

Blow the trumpet in Zion! 
proclaim a fast, 
call an assembly; 
Gather the people, 
notify the congregation; 
Assemble the elders, 
gather the children 
and the infants at the breast; 
Let the bridegroom quit his room 
and the bride her chamber. 
Between the porch and the altar 
let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep, 
And say, “Spare, O LORD, your people, 
and make not your heritage a reproach, 
with the nations ruling over them! 
Why should they say among the peoples, 
‘Where is their God?’”

Then the LORD was stirred to concern for his land 
and took pity on his people.

Reading II: 2 Corinthians 5:20 – 6:2 
 


Brothers and sisters: 
We are ambassadors for Christ, 
as if God were appealing through us. 
We implore you on behalf of Christ, 
be reconciled to God. 
For our sake he made him to be sin who did not know sin, 
so that we might become the righteousness of God in him.

Working together, then, 
we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 
For he says:

In an acceptable time I heard you, 
and on the day of salvation I helped you.

Behold, now is a very acceptable time; 
behold, now is the day of salvation.

Gospel: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18 


Jesus said to his disciples: 
“Take care not to perform righteous deeds 
in order that people may see them; 
otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father. 
When you give alms, 
do not blow a trumpet before you, 
as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets 
to win the praise of others. 
Amen, I say to you, 
they have received their reward. 
But when you give alms, 
do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, 
so that your almsgiving may be secret. 
And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

“When you pray, 
do not be like the hypocrites, 
who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners 
so that others may see them. 
Amen, I say to you, 
they have received their reward. 
But when you pray, go to your inner room, 
close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. 
And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

“When you fast, 
do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. 
They neglect their appearance, 
so that they may appear to others to be fasting. 
Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. 
But when you fast, 
anoint your head and wash your face, 
so that you may not appear to be fasting, 
except to your Father who is hidden. 
And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.”

************************
REFLECTIONS

By Brother Kevin Kriso, OFM

At a former ministry of mine, Ash Wednesday was our busiest day of the year. Being in a city, people would line up around the block to get ashes. It was an exciting day. The sheer number and variety of people touched my heart, little babies in strollers, tottering elderly, teenagers with acne, sophisticated office people, police officers, salespeople from department stores, homeless. It was a real cross section of humanity.

As excited and grateful as I was for this day, I was bothered by the question, “Where are they the next day or the next Sunday?” Maybe ten percent of the people who came for ashes also came for the Eucharist later in the week. I wondered why ashes which are described as a “sacramental” (with a small “s”) had a greater pull than the Eucharist which is a Sacrament (with a capital “S”? The Eucharist is, after all, the source and summit of our faith, they very Body and Blood of Christ. Ashes are, quite frankly, just dirt. Yet ashes had the greater power to pull people into Church, even if it was for just one day.

Some easy answers were given. One is to blame the people, “Well their priorities are all messed up.” Another was to blame “liberal” priests and sisters, “The reason for the lack of respect for the Sacrament is that is that these people are not stressing the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist and the importance of obligation.” There is probably some truth in these answers but not the entire truth.

Then someone else made the suggestion that maybe it is because everyone feels they are worthy to receive ashes, but not everyone feels worthy to receive the Eucharist. I think that was a bigger part of the answer. Maybe the way many perceive the message of the Church is that the spiritual life is mainly equated in following rules and laws. When many people measure their own lives against these rules and laws, they find they come up short. Instead of feeling encouraged to try harder, they feel their only option is to “opt out” of Church because they do not “want to be a hypocrite.” Church feels like it is for “holy rollers,” not a “real” flesh and blood person like me. So ashes seem to be an OK thing for real people to receive while the Eucharist is for that theoretical group of people who are “worthy.”

Interestingly enough, Jesus tried very hard to teach that the spiritual walk has more to do with love than rules. But somehow his message does not always come across. Even in the Guidelines for the Reception of the Eucharist it says that reception of the Eucharist is for people who are “properly disposed” to receive the Sacrament and “not conscious of grave sin.” Somehow that is interpreted as “you must be perfect” and the Eucharist is reserved for those who are perfect. Since this feels impossible, people “opt out” of Church. So as it is now, more people receive ashes than the Body and Blood of Christ. That is sad.

Hopefully, ashes can not only be seen as a sign of penance but also as a sign of hope. We can help pull each other up, to rise. We can remind each other that the love of God, not our conduct is what “makes us worthy.” God knows all about us and loves us anyway. Church is not for holy rollers but for people who know they are not perfect and are doing their best. Even after you confess your sins, you will probably end up sinning again. That’s just the way it is. Don’t worry about being a hypocrite. None of us are perfect and as Jesus said, “It is the sick who need the doctor.”

As a friend of mine who is in Alcoholics Anonymous likes to say, “God loves me just as I am. But God also loves me too much to let me stay that way.”

By Joe Aini

"Lord, as I walk through Lent I pray to love you in a more genuine way and to open my heart to what you want from me in this life you have given me. Archbishop Fulton Sheen once said, "Unless we die to a lower life, we'll never rise to a higher life." Lord, although I know you love me for who I am, I pray for the light of your grace to help me move to where you want me to be.

Take my faults and transform them and turn them around to be ways that will lead to my salvation. I feel like I've burrowed myself into a hole of hostility where I brood over the hurts others have inflicted on me. I brood over my own shortcomings, my imperfections and ways I've failed to practice the Christian faith that I love. Change my brooding into forgiveness---toward others as well as toward myself, and transform my hostility to charity. Transform the daily frustrations I experience both at home and at work into patience. And help me to see others in the light of your love. Help me to love you in a new way.

Bless whoever reads these words and, as they read these reflections, renew their love for you so together we can rebuild the Body of Christ in this world. . . . "

(To share your thoughts, post a comment below on the Mountain's blog or on the Mountain's Facebook Page.)

(Mt. Irenaeus Web Site)

Christmas Reflection

Fr. Lou McCormick, OFM, and Christine Cusick-Prellwitz offer their thoughts about Christmas. You're invited to share your thoughts and reflections.

************************
READINGS

Is 9:1-6
The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom
a light has shone.
You have brought them abundant joy
and great rejoicing,
as they rejoice before you as at the harvest,
as people make merry when dividing spoils.
For the yoke that burdened them,
the pole on their shoulder,
and the rod of their taskmaster
you have smashed, as on the day of Midian.
For every boot that tramped in battle,
every cloak rolled in blood,
will be burned as fuel for flames.
For a child is born to us, a son is given us;
upon his shoulder dominion rests.
They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero,
Father-Forever, Prince of Peace.
His dominion is vast
and forever peaceful,
from David’s throne, and over his kingdom,
which he confirms and sustains
by judgment and justice,
both now and forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this!


Ti 2:11-14
Beloved:
The grace of God has appeared, saving all
and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires
and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age,
as we await the blessed hope,
the appearance of the glory of our great God
and savior Jesus Christ,
who gave himself for us to deliver us from all lawlessness
and to cleanse for himself a people as his own, eager to do what is good.

Lk 2:1-14
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus
that the whole world should be enrolled.
This was the first enrollment,
when Quirinius was governor of Syria.
So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town.
And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth
to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem,
because he was of the house and family of David,
to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.
While they were there,
the time came for her to have her child,
and she gave birth to her firstborn son.
She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger,
because there was no room for them in the inn.

Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields
and keeping the night watch over their flock.
The angel of the Lord appeared to them
and the glory of the Lord shone around them,
and they were struck with great fear.
The angel said to them,
“Do not be afraid;
for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy
that will be for all the people.
For today in the city of David
a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord.
And this will be a sign for you:
you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes
and lying in a manger.”
And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel,
praising God and saying:
“Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

************************
REFLECTIONS

By Fr. Lou McCormick, OFM

“She wrapped him is swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger.” The infant Jesus was wrapped in the long narrow strips of cloth wound around his limbs and body which made freedom of movement impossible. It was the custom of the time. It seems unbelievable that the Savior, on whose freedom and power we all depend, should be bound to lie helpless on the straw.

Paul tells us that Jesus emptied himself to come among us; not empty of his divinity but of his glory. “He took the form of a servant” (Phillipians 2). Jesus makes himself vulnerable. Paul says that we should have the same mind that Jesus has – obedience to the Father’s will and vulnerable – in order to manifest the great power of God.

Francis of Assisi was overwhelmed b y the humility of God, especially as expressed in the Incarnation and the crucifixion. Francis wanted to relive that first night of Jesus’ birth so long ago by gathering people and animals together on the hillside of Greccio to celebrate the wonder of Jesus’ birth.

As well as being wrapped in bands of cloth at birth, bodies were wrapped the same way for burial. When Jesus called Lazarus from the tomb, his first instructions were “unbind him.” Jesus became vulnerable so that all of us could become unbound. How many things there are that bind us, not allowing us to grow and develop as God intends.

Life in Jesus helps us to stay free. Our rejoicing at Christmas comes from knowing that our unbinding is possible and very real. When we enter into the life of God in Jesus we become more free and help others to come to that freedom.

The Incarnation challenges us to acknowledge the values of Jesus and to assert that love is stronger than force. We should rejoice in our vulnerability because then God’s power comes forth more strongly because we are less in the way.

I pray that your Christmas is filled with peace and the love of God that comes to us in Jesus.


By Christine Cusick-Prellwitz

Amidst the advertisements, tips on holiday shopping, recipe exchanges, and travel warnings, if we really listen, in sometimes hushed voices, we can hear people talk about the “true meaning” of Christmas. Sometimes these conversations surround fundraising efforts, other times they are stories about communities reaching out to their neighbors in need, and sometimes they are captured in small moments when we turn and see a child’s awestruck gaze into the sky, anticipating the implausible.

When I hear these stories of good works, see these gazes of wonder, the Gift that we celebrate on this day seems so simple, so unencumbered. Fr. Lou’s wise words remind us not just of what happened on the still dark night in Bethlehem, but perhaps more importantly, how it happened. Amidst the lavish celebrations, the ornate gifts, all of the things that sometimes keep us “bound,” how far do I fall away from the deep humility, the profound simplicity, of what God made possible, through the faith of Mary and of Joseph, in the birth of their young son, Jesus, Love, Emmanuel, “God is with us.”

When I think of the power that St. Francis heard in the materiality of this “how” I understand with more clarity why Mt. Irenaeus, and all the lives and spirit it embodies, remains, even through physical distance, such a force for so many of us. This tenor of the Gospel message, the emphasis on not just what we are called to do, but the spirit in which we are called to act: the prayer, the embraces, the laughter, the honesty, the conversations, the silence, the nourishment—the Mountain, molded through the example of the Friars, has shown me this “how,” as Fr. Lou reminds us, “love” is “stronger than force,” a love that relies on a beautiful, powerful vulnerability, the truth that we cannot realize Christ’s teachings unless we unfold our sometimes stubborn selves into the arms of community.

As I look up into the depths of this Christmas night sky, I think of St. Francis’s first crèche, the humble lives of a woman called Mary, of a carpenter named Joseph, of tired shepherds, of blessed oxen ass, and sheep, all surrounding a seemingly helpless infant, and I pray that the hope that ties us to one another, in body and spirit, might give stronger voice to the hushed stories of a radiant, lived Christmas Love.

(To share your thoughts, post a comment below on the Mountain's blog or on the Mountain's Facebook Page.)

(Mt. Irenaeus Web Site)

Lenten Reflection

Fr. Dan Riley, OFM, and Mike Fenn share their thoughts about today's Gospel, the economy and Lent. Please share your reflections below.

Gospel
John 2:13-25

Since the Passover of the Jews was near,
Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
He found in the temple area those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves,
as well as the money changers seated there.
He made a whip out of cords
and drove them all out of the temple area, with the sheep and oxen,
and spilled the coins of the money changers
and overturned their tables,
and to those who sold doves he said,
"Take these out of here,
and stop making my Father's house a marketplace."
His disciples recalled the words of Scripture,
Zeal for your house will consume me.
At this the Jews answered and said to him,
"What sign can you show us for doing this?"
Jesus answered and said to them,
"Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up."
The Jews said,
"This temple has been under construction for forty-six years,
and you will raise it up in three days?"
But he was speaking about the temple of his body.
Therefore, when he was raised from the dead,
his disciples remembered that he had said this,
and they came to believe the Scripture
and the word Jesus had spoken.

While he was in Jerusalem for the feast of Passover,
many began to believe in his name
when they saw the signs he was doing.
But Jesus would not trust himself to them because he knew them all,
and did not need anyone to testify about human nature.
He himself understood it well.

By Fr. Dan Riley, OFM, and Mike Fenn
One of many elements I enjoy about preparing for these shared scriptures is that I typically learn a key insight about the reading we reflected upon. In preparation for this message, Fr. Dan and I discussed the gospel 3000 miles away from each other – I in my Buffalo study, and he driving in California to his retreat. He helped me understand the background behind the money changers in the temple. Perhaps this will be enlightening to many of you as well.

People came to the temple from all over, both rich and poor, to practice and proclaim their faith. When they came they were required to purchase an animal for sacrifice. They were not allowed to bring their own animal, but had to buy one specifically from the priests. The prices charged were typically higher than they would pay in an open market. The moneychangers came into play because they had to pay with a Hebrew coin, where most of the poor only held Roman currency. This was another opportunity for the clergy to profit from those that looked to them as their trusted leaders. Knowing this, it’s not at all surprising that Jesus would react in the way that he did.

The “marketplace” is certainly a hot button term these days. With many 401k’s in shambles, and confidence in our business leaders shaken to the core, the theme of this gospel couldn’t be more relevant to our lives. We all feel the outrage toward those we believe put us all collectively in the mess we are in. Yet this outrage is different from what was driving Christ through the temple in the Gospel. He was angered that the least among us were being exploited by those posing as spiritual leaders in His Father’s own house. It’s easy for us to feel we need to batten down the hatches during these times, becoming insular to the seemingly frightening world around us. Yet to call ourselves Christians, it is imperative that we realize we can make a difference in the world by how we treat and care for others, and the way we live our own lives. By living this way, or own bodies become a temple, in practicing the rule Francis taught us, to “Create within ourselves a place where God might dwell.”

(Post a comment below to share your thoughts.)

(Mt. Irenaeus Web Site)

Christmas Reflection

Br. Joe Kotula, OFM, and Denise Null offer their thoughts about Christmas. Please share your thoughts and reflections, too.

*********************
Christmas Day Readings

Isaiah 52: 7-10
Hebrews 1: 1-6
Gospel of John 1: 1 18


*********************
By Br. Joe Kotula, OFM

The readings for Christmas Day seem to move us from the story of a child being born for us to the deep message of the incarnation. God became man and the gospel writer points out that those who accept him, Jesus the Christ, he gave power to become children of God. As children of God, we know that Jesus is the light that shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.

This Christmas there is much darkness in our world. There are wars, famines, global recession, oppression, child abuse, and many other forms of violence, yet as children of God we know there is a great light. We are called to give witness to that light. Scripture tells us that we are the body of Christ, so we must be that light. Truly a mystery. All things came to be through Jesus, and without Jesus nothing came to be. We are intimately connected in this mystery to one another and to God and God taught us that on Christmas Day. It seems to me that we can be bright lights when we live with faith, hope and love.

I want to end my reflection with a meditation from a book written by Megan McKenna.

The One who holds all creation in the hollow of a hand

is born today of a virgin.

The One who hung the earth upon the waters

is hung today upon the Cross.

The One whose essence none can touch

is wrapped in swaddling clothes as a mortal.

The One who rules the angles

is crowned today with thorns.

God, who in the beginning created the heavens,

lies now in a manger.

God, who wraps the heavens in clouds,

is wrapped in mocking purple.

The One who rained manna down on the people in the wilderness

is fed on milk from a Mother's breast.

The One who set Eve and Adam free in the Jordan

is slapped in the face.

Today the Church's Spouse calls forth the magi.

Today the Church's Spouse is nailed the cross.

The Virgin's child accepts their gifts.

The Virgin's Child is pierced with a spear.

We worship your nativity, O Christ!

We worship your passion, O Christ!

Show us your glorious Theophany!

Show us, too, your glorious Resurrection.

*********************
By Denise Null

As the most magical day of the year approaches, we find ourselves amid the hustle and bustle of Christmas preparations – shopping, decorating, gathering with friends and attending children’s festivities. We have also been preparing our hearts during advent as we watchfully wait for the birth of Christ. There is excitement and anticipation everywhere! The magic of Christmas can have many meanings. What makes Christmas magical for you? Family traditions, Mass on Christmas Eve, the joy of giving, witnessing the wonderment through children, gathering with loved ones, laughter, baking cookies or the white elephant gift exchange. In our house “Christmas magic” is a common answer for those tough Santa questions!!

The best Christmas magic is God’s great love for us. Love is about sacrifice, giving without expectations and selflessness. God made a huge choice when he sent Jesus into the world. I can’t imagine how hard it was to allow Jesus to be born when he knew he would be crucified thirty something years later. What a gift of love, what an act of love. What a privilege to know this God, to have him dwelling in us to be our source of strength! The best thing about this Christmas magic is that we can have access to it year round.

In closing, I thought I would share “The Story of the Candy Cane”

There was a time, during the later part of the eighteenth century in England, when all religious symbols were banned from public display. During this time, there was a dedicated Christian candy maker who set out to find some way for members of the Christian family to identify each other, in spite of the ban. He began with a piece of pure white candy to signify the purity and holiness of Jesus Christ. Next, he fashioned the candy into the shape of a shepherd’s staff as a reminder that our Heavenly Father is the Good Shepherd. Then he places three small red stripes around the candy to represent the encompassing power and presence of the Trinity – Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Finally he placed a single bold red stripe through the candy to demonstrate the redeeming power of the blood that Christ shed upon the cross for each of us and the forgiveness of our sins.

Taste and see the wonderful truth of Christmas.

“I bring you good news of great joy which is for all people; today in the city of David there has been born, a Savior, who is Jesus Christ the Lord.” He brings forgiveness…cleansing…new life…an eternal home. “O taste and see that the Lord is good!” PS 34:3

Merry Christmas to you and blessings in 2009!


(Post a comment below to share your thoughts.)

(Mt. Irenaeus Web Site)

Beginning of Advent Reflection

Chris Novak and Br. Kevin Kriso, OFM, offer their thoughts for the beginning of Advent. Please share your thoughts and reflections.

*********************
Reading 1
Is 63:16b-17, 19b; 64:2-7

You, LORD, are our father,
our redeemer you are named forever.
Why do you let us wander, O LORD, from your ways,
and harden our hearts so that we fear you not?
Return for the sake of your servants,
the tribes of your heritage.
Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down,
with the mountains quaking before you,
while you wrought awesome deeds we could not hope for,
such as they had not heard of from of old.
No ear has ever heard, no eye ever seen, any God but you
doing such deeds for those who wait for him.
Would that you might meet us doing right,
that we were mindful of you in our ways!
Behold, you are angry, and we are sinful;
all of us have become like unclean people,
all our good deeds are like polluted rags;
we have all withered like leaves,
and our guilt carries us away like the wind.
There is none who calls upon your name,
who rouses himself to cling to you;
for you have hidden your face from us
and have delivered us up to our guilt.
Yet, O LORD, you are our father;
we are the clay and you the potter:
we are all the work of your hands


Gospel
Mk 13:33-37

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Be watchful! Be alert!
You do not know when the time will come.
It is like a man traveling abroad.
He leaves home and places his servants in charge,
each with his own work,
and orders the gatekeeper to be on the watch.
Watch, therefore;
you do not know when the Lord of the house is coming,
whether in the evening, or at midnight,
or at cockcrow, or in the morning.
May he not come suddenly and find you sleeping.
What I say to you, I say to all: ‘Watch!’”

By Chris Novak
As the Advent season begins, several ideas and themes come to mind. The readings for the first Sunday of Advent tell us this is a season of waiting and preparing for the birth of Christ. However, simply doing those things isn’t enough. Christ calls us to actively wait and prepare. One of the biggest teachings He gave us was to love one another as we love ourselves. Although we should remember that all year, it seems to be more prevalent during this time of year. Actively waiting and prepares asks us to follow Christ’s example and live our lives for others. I have learned this from watching what my mother does every year at this time.

My mother participates in a community toy drive through a charity organization. Parents of families in low income areas in our community write Christmas letters to the organization, listing items they want to give to their children, but simply cannot afford them. Other people in the community choose one of lists and purchase the items for the children. The parent who wrote the list will receive the items just before Christmas Day and will have gifts to give their children.

We often talk about this time of year being full of commercialism and materialism, and doing something like this can easily fall into those trends. However, looking at the motivation behind the actions can reveal the true meaning of it. I’ve been fortunate enough to always have presents under the tree on Christmas morning. But from what I learned from my parents, the act of giving a gift is more than just getting me something I asked for. It’s about the joy of giving someone a loving and accepting feeling. My mother knows this feeling. When she participates in this program every year, she knows what it’s like as a mother to give her children that feeling and wants other mothers and fathers to experience that feeling too.

Based on her example, I also participated in this program. As an officer in a high school club a few years ago, I suggested we choose a list. Each member of the club was responsible for buying one item on the list and we donated all of them as a group. It made me realize the importance of giving others something I had: the support of a family who could provide for me.

During Advent, we are asked to prepare for Christ’s birth. It’s a good chance for us to examine what we have and what we can give to others. As we prepare, we need to recognize the reason behind our preparing. For me, it’s to more closely follow Christ’s example. His birth marked the beginning of the life we as Christians want to live. Christ lived his life giving to others. Maybe that’s why we give gifts to those we love today. And although material items are fun to give, let’s think about the feelings we want others to have from receiving the gifts we give them.


By Br. Kevin Kriso, OFM
The readings for this First Sunday of Advent also speak to me about active waiting and preparation for the coming of Christ. Isaiah writes, “Would that you might meet us doing right.” And in the Gospel Jesus says “May he not come suddenly and find you asleep.” In other words they are warning us, “Be ready!”

This reminds me of a bumper sticker that was popular years ago. It said, “Jesus is coming soon. Look busy!” For those of us who sometimes slack off in our spiritual lives and practices, it was a funny way for us to get back on track and “get with it!” It is nice to think we will be caught in the act of “doing good” when the day of the Lord arrives. However, with my luck I will be caught reading some silly book and eating potato chips and bacon horseradish dip. But wouldn’t being in a state of “red alert” at all times be exhausting? I mean, we do need to sleep every once in a while.

What is the answer? I think a good metaphor would be that of a good host or hostess. All of us have seen people who seem to effortlessly provide wonderful hospitality. They are always prepared for whatever might happen. This person does not seem to get stressed out that things may or may not turn out right. He or she does not get self-conscious. They focus not on themselves but on meeting the needs of others and genuinely enjoy seeing other people having a good time. They don’t get tired out by their efforts. And if anyone compliments them on their actions, they honestly don’t see that they are doing anything special. For them being hospitable is not the exception in how they live their lives, but the norm.

As Chris described his mom and her quiet witness, I can’t help but think she is one of those people who “gets it.” Going shopping for a poor family is not exhausting for her but fun. She probably can picture in her mind’s eye small children really getting the feeling that they “count” and are loved. Others around her can’t help but catch the spirit. They want to be part of it too. Who knows, maybe on the day of the Lord’s coming Chris’ mom will actually get caught in a department store filling a shopping cart with clothing and toys. And Jesus will smile.

Advent is in its own way a hospitality course. It has many lessons for us. Be ready. Do right. Be prepared. Have fun enjoying others enjoying themselves. Be glad that God used you as a tool to make good things happen for others. Advent also reminds me of a quote from the George Michael song “Praying for Time” in which he chastises those for whom “charity is a coat you wear twice a year.” When charity is a way of life, it is not tiring. It is uplifting. That is why the happiest and holiest people are not those who think less of themselves, but those who think of themselves less.

(Post a comment below to share your thoughts.)

(Mt. Irenaeus Web Site)

Feast of St. Francis

Fr. Dan Riley, OFM, and Mike Fenn offer their thoughts about the Feast of St. Francis. Please share your thoughts and reflections.

*********************
Matthew 11: 25-30

At that time Jesus said in reply, "I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike.

Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.

"Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for your selves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light”

*********************
By Dan Riley, OFM

Reflecting with Mike Fenn I think of how so many of us might consider ourselves clever and well educated. Francis did not see himself that way, but he certainly understood himself as a “child of God.”

Occasionally we might hear someone speak of hoping for or espousing “a new world order,” “a new consciousness.” We roll our eyes, don’t we sometimes not in wonderment, but I would suggest in judgment. Ironically … tragically, the judgment is actually on ourselves.

Jesus, the Christ, is the new consciousness and he has ushered in a whole new world order … truly a wonderment to behold. It is only as a child, “child like,” that we are able to see that we wonder more than worry and behold rather than shut down or close out this most amazing “new.” With all that is going on and the pain within our families and our country, this promise is at our door, invites us to open up the eyes of our hearts.

As Jesus says, “All things have been handed over to me by my Father.” He also instructs us to say, “OUR FATHER!” All of us are children and we have a new life for us to live as we choose not to roll our eyes, but open our eyes to this new order, this new reign, this Kingdom of Jesus Christ.

Even as we might be gripped by a sense of powerlessness or with tragedy in the midst of ourselves, a new hope wants to blossom, a hope only a child could see, a hope we are invited to see as children of the same God. A whole new order wants to break out on the place and the feeling of powerlessness. It is the power of God’s reign which only comes to children, to the child like. I dare say that it is the “plenty” that we only sense when we feel empty. It is the hopelessness that carves at our hearts at times that opens us space for the light to break in.

The reflection of Mike recalls for us now, as brothers and sisters, the risk of believing that there is One who calls us from our labor and our burdens to find rest, the arms of a loving God and in a family of faith. Especially when we feel we carry the burden of the world, Christ asks us “to take my yoke upon you and learn from me.” The One who is “meek and humble” is also the One who empowers us in the conversion of our hearts and the change in our world.

Let us risk, then, seeing as children on this Feast of our little brother Francis and work for it as grown-ups, brother and sisters, who share this re-newed consciousness. Let us step up and step out risking, as a child, to believe that Jesus means each of us when he says, “Come to me … my yoke is easy … my burden light.”

*********************
By Mike Fenn

As I reflected over this reading and what is going on in the world today, I thought about the uncertainty our country faces, and the anxiety that coincides with this. Seemingly the past two national elections couldn’t have been more divisive, yet once again we face polarizing alternatives, with partisans on either side perceiving doom and gloom if their choice doesn’t get elected. In the personal finance sector, there’s been a jolt to the fundamental structure of our economy that my generation has never experienced before. In times like these, I find it impossible not to think about the worst case scenarios, and how I will support my family if those circumstances arise.

It is easy to withdraw and want to insulate ourselves from the risk of the world, taking care of only those we care for the most, while we try to make sense of all this from “the wise and the learned” on Fox News, or CNBC.

Opportunities such as these shared reflections help me break away from this cocooning instinct, and to ask how Francis would behave in such times. We know the world Francis lived in was a time of turmoil as well. The middle class was slowly forming, with the world predominantly made up from the wealthy and the poor.

Yet while Francis chose to turn away from a life of riches, he did not focus on two classes of haves and have-nots, or party affiliations of Democrats and Republicans. Francis followed the words of Christ that taught we all called to be brothers and sisters with one another and nothing more.

If our political and business leaders behaved in this manner, I wonder how much worse off we would be?

In these times of volatility and confusion I find great joy from a God Who implores me that revelation comes from behaving like a child, and great solace from my troubles when Jesus reminds me that “All who labor or are burdened, I will give you rest.”

(Post a comment below to share your thoughts.)

(Mt. Irenaeus Web Site)

Pentecost Reflection

Fr. Bob Struzynski, OFM, and Mike Fenn offer us the gift of their reflections for Pentecost.
*********************
Gospel Reading


On the evening of that first day of the week,
when the doors were locked, where the disciples were,
for fear of the Jews,
Jesus came and stood in their midst
and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side.
The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.
Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you.
As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”
And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them,
“Receive the Holy Spirit.
Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them,
and whose sins you retain are retained.”

*********************
By Fr. Bob Struzynski, OFM

I get very excited about the Feast of Pentecost. Someone has said that the Spirit is the presence of Jesus when Jesus is absent. That sounds pretty good to me except I would add “the loving, healing, life-giving presence.” I love the message of the Risen Lord as he “breathes” this presence on the first believers – it would be a powerful presence that enables them to break through fear into peace and that would enable them to carry on his mission of reconciliation through forgiveness.

I would like to share briefly on the first part of this message. I experienced the Spirit's power in my life to break through fear into peace in a special way when I decided to leave Bona's in 1978 and join two other brothers to begin St. Francis Inn in Philadelphia. After I made the decision I went for a retreat in Maine and during the retreat became very fearful of following through with my decision to leave the academic life behind and live a simple life with the poor.

One night I had a dream and in the dream I saw myself enclosed within a field by thick heavy walls. Combined with this dream was a certain experience of God through the Scriptures that I was reading at this time. I read the passage about Jesus curing the man who was crippled and was laying by the healing waters of the pool of Siloam. Jesus asked the man if he wanted to walk and the man complained that he could never get to the healing waters in time to be cured, someone always got there ahead of him. I was the imprisoned man who was not able to get up and walk.

But I heard the words of Jesus very strongly “Get up, pick up your mat and walk!” in a very personal way. Jesus was saying to me just get up and walk and I would find I was walking into my new life. I did, and those seemingly thick, impenetrable walls were nothing but an illusion created by my fear. As I went to touch them my hand went right through them. There was nothing to stop me. Jesus led me right through my fear into greater freedom and new life.

This is only one story from one life. I'll bet all of you reading this little sharing on the bible readings for Pentecost could add many many more stories of God's loving, healing, strengthening presence through the gift of the Spirit. In true “Mountain” fashion let us rejoice, give thanks and spread the Good News!

*********************
By Mike Fenn

“As the Father has sent me, so I send you”

I am thrilled to partner up with Bob on this special holy day of Pentecost, as we have common threads related to this day. I, too, was called from St. Bonaventure (as a student) to live at St. Francis Inn. While my work there could only have taken place through the pioneering of Bob and his Brothers, it was a wonderful year of truly walking the spirit in everything I did.

Another connection that Bob has drawn out is my recent dream that has been on my mind for a few weeks now. On March 24, my father passed away in North Carolina after a few years of being in poor health. We had a wonderful funeral, recalling his life dedicated to Christian ministry. However he was to be buried in New York City about a month later. The planning for this second event was difficult as many from our family lives far from there. It was also difficult to go through the grieving process for a second time. Truly my spirit was down, and I was depressed at trying to help in the planning while life continues forward at a fast pace in every other respect.

About a week before the memorial service my father visited me in a dream. He was the giant I remember him being when I was young, wearing one of his three-piece business suits. I ran up and hugged him, asked him if he was back. He said, “No, but I’m OK.”

As I read the gospel quote above, and thought about Bob’s own dream, I felt my dream was a message from my father and the Holy Spirit to continue all the goods works he had ministered through his long life. In a way my Father was sending me forth. I pray the Holy Spirit will support me and my family to follow my father’s significant footsteps.

(Click "Post a Comment" below to share your thoughts.)

(Mt. Irenaeus Web Site)

Advent Reflection

In the midst of Advent as we prepare for the time of Christ’s arrival, Br. Joe Kotula, OFM, and Holly Schubert offer us the gift of their reflections on reading from this 2nd Sunday of Advent.

If you haven’t met Holly, she is a Bonaventure grad who spent two years living in community with the Mountain Friars. She continues her service as a youth minister in western Pennsylvania. As always please feel free to share your thoughts after reading Br. Joe and Holly’s reflection.

*********************
Reading 1

Is 11:1-10

On that day, a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse,
and from his roots a bud shall blossom.
The spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him:
a spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
a spirit of counsel and of strength,
a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the LORD,
and his delight shall be the fear of the LORD.
Not by appearance shall he judge,
nor by hearsay shall he decide,
but he shall judge the poor with justice,
and decide aright for the land’s afflicted.
He shall strike the ruthless with the rod of his mouth,
and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked.
Justice shall be the band around his waist,
and faithfulness a belt upon his hips.
Then the wolf shall be a guest of the lamb,
and the leopard shall lie down with the kid;
the calf and the young lion shall browse together,
with a little child to guide them.
The cow and the bear shall be neighbors,
together their young shall rest;
the lion shall eat hay like the ox.
The baby shall play by the cobra’s den,
and the child lay his hand on the adder’s lair.
There shall be no harm or ruin on all my holy mountain;
for the earth shall be filled with knowledge of the LORD,
as water covers the sea.
On that day, the root of Jesse,
set up as a signal for the nations,
the Gentiles shall seek out,
for his dwelling shall be glorious.

*********************
Reading 2

Rom 15:4-9

Brothers and sisters:
Whatever was written previously was written for our instruction,
that by endurance and by the encouragement of the Scriptures
we might have hope.
May the God of endurance and encouragement
grant you to think in harmony with one another,
in keeping with Christ Jesus,
that with one accord you may with one voice
glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Welcome one another, then, as Christ welcomed you,
for the glory of God.
For I say that Christ became a minister of the circumcised
to show God’s truthfulness,
to confirm the promises to the patriarchs,
but so that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy.
As it is written:
Therefore, I will praise you among the Gentiles
and sing praises to your name.

*********************
Gospel

Mt 3:1-12

John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea
and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”
It was of him that the prophet Isaiah had spoken when he said:
A voice of one crying out in the desert,
Prepare the way of the Lord,
make straight his paths.
John wore clothing made of camel’s hair
and had a leather belt around his waist.
His food was locusts and wild honey.
At that time Jerusalem, all Judea,
and the whole region around the Jordan
were going out to him
and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River
as they acknowledged their sins.

When he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees
coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers!
Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?
Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance.
And do not presume to say to yourselves,
‘We have Abraham as our father.’
For I tell you,
God can raise up children to Abraham from these stones.
Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees.
Therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit
will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
I am baptizing you with water, for repentance,
but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I.
I am not worthy to carry his sandals.
He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
His winnowing fan is in his hand.
He will clear his threshing floor
and gather his wheat into his barn,
but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

*********************
By Joseph Kotula, OFM

Advent is a time of waiting and preparing for the coming of Christ. However, Christ has already come a long time ago. So what are we waiting for? It seems to me that we need to be reflecting on how the Christ event of 2000 years ago affects our daily life today.

The Isaiah reading speaks to us about a great hope, the calf and the lion shall browse together, with a little child to guide them; the baby shall play by the cobra's den, and the child lay his hand on the adder's lair. There shall be no harm or ruin on my holy mountain, for the earth shall be filled with knowledge of the Lord. Are our hearts open enough to believe, in this violent and painful world, that this is God's promise?

The second reading calls us to persevere in our belief. St. Paul also commands us to “Welcome one another, then, as Christ welcomed you, for the glory of God.” We can love because God first loved us. Who do we welcome in our daily lives?

Finally, John the Baptist calls us to repent and turn back to God. It seems to me he is calling us to reflect on our lives and see if we are producing good fruit. What is good fruit? The scriptures would tells us to be forgiving, caring, sharing, thankful, grateful, loving people and when we relate to all of creation in that manner we will produce good fruit.

The Mountain model of remember, reflect and respond can help us to see where we have turned away from God and how we can turn back to God. So as God loved us we might love others and experience the profound reality of Christmas.

*********************
By Holly Schubert

What a powerful image of hope is in the first reading from Isaiah – the stump of Jesse becoming a shoot of new life.

A stump is a tree that is no more. It is something that is dead, gone. But out of what seems to be this absence of life, new life comes. Nature has a great way of expressing something important about who God is, just by acting out its own normal processes of life. What seemed dead and lifeless was the lineage of King David, and the new life and hope that came out of that ancestry was Jesus Christ, the ultimate expression of life overcoming death.

I see hope and repentance as deeply connected here in these passages. Repentance and hope are both a desire or longing for something better than the way things are right now. You might say repentance is hope. I realized I often think of repentance as feeling bad about something, but seeing this connection has helped me to see it differently.

I find myself wondering why so many people flocked to see John the Baptist in the wilderness. I wonder what the appeal was, what drew so many people to him. In a different passage of scripture we hear that some of them may have come because of the spectacle – they wanted to see a good show. But surely a good many of them must have been drawn by that opportunity for repentance – for that longing for things to be different inside of them, in their lives, for that hope that things could be other than the way they were.

The passage of the ax at the tree and the fire burning up the chaff is often seen as a hardcore judgmental passage – that those who don’t measure up are viciously done away with. But I see this passage differently. I see the ax chopping away dead parts of our selves that are no longer productive, I see the chaff as parts of ourselves we want to get rid of and the burning as a welcome, cleansing change. When I long for that change and welcome it, it is repentance, and it’s hopeful.

Advent is a season of hope. It is a longing and a preparation for the light that is coming into the world. We prepare for the coming of that light by realizing that we need it, that we long for it. We want something different – we repent, turn away from, the way things are, looking for something new. We hope for it. And we hope in confidence because we know of God’s goodness, because we know where the story is going, because we know of the child that is coming and the light that He brings.

(Click "Post a Comment" below to share your thoughts.)

(Mt. Irenaeus Web Site)