Christmas Reflection

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

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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.”

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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)

First Sunday of Advent

Fr. Bob Struzynski, OFM, and Martin Shields offer their thoughts about the beginning of Advent. You're invited to share your thoughts and reflections.

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READINGS

Jer 33:14-16
The days are coming, says the LORD,
when I will fulfill the promise
I made to the house of Israel and Judah.
In those days, in that time,
I will raise up for David a just shoot ;
he shall do what is right and just in the land.
In those days Judah shall be safe
and Jerusalem shall dwell secure;
this is what they shall call her:
“The LORD our justice.”

1 Thes 3:12-4:2
Brothers and sisters:
May the Lord make you increase and abound in love
for one another and for all,
just as we have for you,
so as to strengthen your hearts,
to be blameless in holiness before our God and Father
at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his holy ones. Amen.

Finally, brothers and sisters,
we earnestly ask and exhort you in the Lord Jesus that,
as you received from us
how you should conduct yourselves to please God
Cand as you are conducting yourselves
you do so even more.
For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus.

Lk 21:25-28, 34-36
Jesus said to his disciples:
“There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars,
and on earth nations will be in dismay,
perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves.
People will die of fright
in anticipation of what is coming upon the world,
for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
And then they will see the Son of Man
coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
But when these signs begin to happen,
stand erect and raise your heads
because your redemption is at hand.

“Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy
from carousing and drunkenness
and the anxieties of daily life,
and that day catch you by surprise like a trap.
For that day will assault everyone
who lives on the face of the earth.
Be vigilant at all times
and pray that you have the strength
to escape the tribulations that are imminent
and to stand before the Son of Man.”

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REFLECTION

I read recently of a teacher who had an interesting way of teaching children about the Bible. He took them to the local library and showed them the different kinds of books in the library: history, fiction, poetry, biography, reference books and then he said: “ Now the bible is really not a book but a library. And it is important to know which book you are reading in this library too so you read it correctly.

Now that little lesson is important for our reading from the Gospel today. We read from the Book of Revelation and that is an apocalyptic book, a special type of literature prevalent in the 1st Century A.D. and connected with the experience of persecution. It is not to be taken literally, rather through its fantastic imagery the message for those first believers is that, in spite of their terrible situation, the Lord has not abandoned them. He is present in the midst of what they are going through and he will come again so fear not, just persevere, don't give up hope!

This message rings loud and clear in the spirituality of A. A. and I try to deliver it weekly in the prison where I am Chaplain. I often put it in the words of a recovering alcoholic priest who wrote a book of meditations for “all people recovering from life”:

“Everything can be used for good if it is perceived realistically; destructive experiences, painful moments and failed relationships can all be used to create a new tomorrow.”

For me this is a wonderful restatement of the same message from the Book of Apocalypse for all of us today. Be hopeful, no matter what you are going through as we begin this season of Advent. The Lord has not abandoned you. He has come! He comes into the present moment no matter how dark it might seem and He will come again.

We live in a world where we currently face significant problems both domestically and internationally and, for many people, these problems have impacted them in a very personal manner. Throughout the Readings and Gospel the themes of hope and confidence are present. Confidence that God will help all of us persevere through both our personal and communal troubles and hope that we can find solutions to our problems at some point in the future. Most likely our solutions will be far from perfect but, through God, we will find a way for them to work for us and all others involved. This hope and confidence will provide a strong foundation for all our days until we no longer have a physical presence on the earth.

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

(Mt. Irenaeus Web Site)

Feast of St. Francis

Brother Joe Kotula, OFM, and Paul Kline offer their thoughts about the Feast of St. Francis. You're invited to share your thoughts and reflections.

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READINGS

Sirach 50:1, 3-4, 6-7
The greatest among his brethren, the glory of his people, was SIMON the priest, son of Jochanan, in whose time the house of God was renovated, in whose days the temple was reinforced. In his time the reservoir was dug, the pool with a vastness like the sea's. He protected his people against brigands and strengthened his city against the enemy. Like a star shining among the clouds, like the full moon at the holyday season; Like the sun shining upon the temple, like the rainbow appearing in the cloudy sky.

Galatians 6:14-18
But may I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither does circumcision mean anything, nor does uncircumcision, but only a new creation. Peace and mercy be to all who follow this rule and to the Israel of God. From now on, let no one make troubles for me; for I bear the marks of Jesus on my body. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.

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."

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REFLECTIONS

By Brother Joe Kotula, OFM
St. Francis was a man who kept his eyes on the cross of Jesus Christ. The holy Bible was his road map and he had a strong desire to follow in the footsteps of Jesus and his life reflects that desire. When Francis was approaching his last days he said to his brothers: “I have done what was mine to do; may Christ teach you what you are to do.”

I feel confident that God teaches each of us what we are to do. However, we need to listen deeply to hear God’s call. St. Paul writes to the Galatians: “ All that matters is that one is created anew.” The Mountain mission statement is, “To join with Jesus Christ in making all things new!” How do you and I experience these bold statements? Are we created anew as we live and experience the Mountain culture? St. Francis was created anew as he journeyed through life focused on the cross of Jesus. I would suggest that being created anew is coming to understand that all of life is in God. When we recognize that, we, like Francis, will relate to everything as brothers and sister.

Imagine that!

The first reading beckons us to imagine the pool with the vastness of the sea, a star shining among the clouds, a full moon on a holyday season, the sun shining upon the temple, and a rainbow in the cloudy sky. St. Francis could imagine God’s total presence and so he knew that everything had the same creator as himself. Scripture call us to imagine the wonders of a loving creator.

Finally, Matthew's Gospel tells us “no one knows the Son, but the Father and no one knows the Father but the Son- and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.” I would suggest that St. Francis knew the Father through Jesus and we, too, know God through Jesus.

Imagine that!

Can you accept that? Praise God! Seek and you shall find; knock and the door will be opened. Francis is a model who showed us how loving Jesus reveals God and affects our daily walk. So, as we celebrate the feast of St. Francis may we, too, hear his words ring in our hearts: “I have done what was mine to do; may Christ teach you what you are to do.”

Trust and be not afraid for God has promised so much and God keeps his/her promises.

By Paul Kline
My favorite experiences at the Mountain are morning and evening prayer in Holy Peace Chapel. The serenity of praying with others while, at the same time, being drawn deeper into my own, interior conversation with God helps me to lower my guard and open my heart. During our Franciscan Sojourner weekends, in that most peaceful place, Gospel stories, stories connected with the Franciscan tradition, and stories from our own travels have come alive offering new discoveries about who God is calling us to become as His sons and daughters and how, as a community travelling together, can best serve others.

The feast of Francis provides an opportunity to wonder how we might learn from the remarkable story of his spiritual journey. For me, it is a journey that brought Francis deeper and deeper into radical humility. His journey reveals the freedom and grace that await us when we let go of our attachments to familiar ways of thinking and patterns of living that fail to bring us closer to God’s heart.

Ilia Delio writes that Bonaventure understood humility to be "a self-knowledge grounded in truth, patience with others, simplicity of life, attentive listening to others, courage to overcome temptations, and a compassionate heart." Through humility, we celebrate the holiness of all creation and open ourselves to be shaped by the wisdom and grace present in the insignificant moments of our day. Through humility, the least among us become our greatest teachers.

Humility, I think, helps us to re-focus our eyes and attune our ears to quiet sources of grace where wisdom speaks in a gentle whisper. Francis’ encounters with others and with the world around him powerfully reveal to me a passionate wish, even longing, to meet Jesus in every twist and turn in the road he travelled. He enjoyed, I think, an authentic zeal for experiencing the specialness of each living creature. Falling in love with every unique expression of God’s creation – people, animals, and nature - was also a way of falling in love with God, over and over and over again.

As each new day dawns, we, too, are invited, again and again, to enter into this love story.

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

(Mt. Irenaeus Web Site)