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Prayer: to our Lady of Guadalupe

Our Lady of Guadalupe,

O dark Madonna of the Americas,

come again to bring us the roses

of compassion, justice and peace.

In the midst of our winter,

bestow your love on all those

marginalized in these lands,

and give us your gift to see dignity

in the least of those among us. Amen. 

Rejoice Sunday

                No one can rejoice without singing. You just don't do it. Songs encapsulate feelings that cannot be put into words. Songs bring to mind memories of life's special events. Songs act like earworms - the tune lingers in our mind as it replays itself over and over informing our unconscious and bringing greater meaning through a simple melody that captivates our attention. We remember songs and they are meant to be repeated again and again. My liturgy professor in theology studies told us to choose songs well because no one goes home humming the homily. Songs keeps our joyful souls light.

          Rejoicing pervades the readings this week as the church is encouraging the faithful to persevere in their waiting and to mark that we are more than halfway through the Advent season. The pink robes and candles amidst the serious purple ones convey that something special in our celebration is about to quicken. In the Responsorial, Mary sings her song of praise to God for choosing her to be the Lord's mother. Isaiah rejoices in God for the steadfast protection God has given the people, Israel. He gushes that "the Spirit of the Lord is upon" him as the one  anointed to bring news of healing, liberation, and a jubilee year of favor. This is the same reading Jesus uses at the beginning of his public ministry in Luke.

          Paul insists upon our praying always and giving thanks in all situations because we can find God's will in all spheres of life. He recommends that we adopt an attitude of openness to all that is good by testing all things because good can be found in everything. Good is found in the secular culture surrounding us. He tells them to hold onto the life-giving, creative, fruit-producing deeds because God's will is operative in them. Paul says that the God of peace will sustain you and will help you accomplish it. And he prefaces it by saying, "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say: rejoice."

          The Gospel informs us of the grand transition that is taking place. John the Baptist, the evangelizing prophet who many originally thought was stronger in power and words than Jesus, tells the priests and Levites that he is not the one who is to come. His negatives are firm and powerful: I am not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the great Prophet, nor the one you seek. His affirmative statement is gentle. I am a necessary precursor to the Messiah, a piece of the puzzle. He is the voice (not the word) of one crying in the desert. He is announcing that the Old Testament hopes are being fulfilled in the present time. The joy is in waiting for the unfolding of all the imagination-provoking events that God is choosing to live among us. If the priests have ears to hear, then their hearts can only be joyful because God is remaining true to his promises.

          It is easy to pick on the religious leaders of the day, but we have to give the priests some leeway here. While their line of questioning is direct, they sincerely want to know the source of John's power. Their question, "Who are you?" is loaded. Rather than sounding accusatory, they want to know if they are to believe in God's unfolding power too.

          They will later ask Jesus the same questions: "What is the source and power of your authority? You seem to have a special connection to God. Are you the one for whom all of Israel seeks?" In other words, they are saying, "As priests and Levites who are legitimately ordained to God and responsible for the welfare of the souls of our congregations, we want to know how we are to respond. We want to believe because all of this is incredible and we have been appointed by God. As upholders of the tradition, we want to know it we are included in God's plan?"

          The priests come as we do - they want to know more about the fascinating person before them. They are curious about John and his urgent message. Every friendship begins with curiosity, intrigue, and fascination about the other person. They want to befriend this person named John because he is pointing them to a reality about God that they sincerely want to comprehend.

          John's answer is enough to leave them with hope or fear. We have a choice about how to respond. We can resist the in-breaking plan of God and deal with the consequences of fear and loss, or we can stop and hope and wonder. Too much of our world is ruled by fear. Fear is not faith. We resist change and the unknown and we don't want our world to be radically changed because it is all we know. We are adverse to taking risks and we close ourselves off to life's possibilities and the wonder of newness. In this way, we act like the priests in the Gospels.

          However, we can live in openness to new things that might shake our lives to the very depths, but they wake us up to the truth of ourselves. We may not know the road where things are going, but that is what makes it an exciting adventure. We instinctively say no to many invitations to events and friendships. We need to learn to say 'yes' more often and let the future unfold in unimagined ways. We also reserve the right to choose because we live in freedom. Saying 'yes' to unforeseen possibilities make our exploding hearts rejoice because we realize the goodwill and good fortune God holds out for us. Saying yes makes us inwardly free, so that in openness to God, we may find true freedom, true life, genuine and lasting joy.

          John the Baptist's answer leaves many expecting the Messiah to present himself soon. He tips his hat to them and says the Messiah is already among them, but he doesn't tell them where to look. The answer is in the "how." How are we going to evaluate the good that is happening around us? We pay attention to the subtle differences in style and look only for that which is good. We have to learn to read the signs of the times and be open to the marvels that follows. It makes our souls sing we hope once again that God truly desires to be at work in our lives. We wait in hope that God does not forget our sorrows and struggles.

          If we listen not only in the silence but in the stillness, we can hear the voice of the Savior saying: "I created and regenerated you. I set you free. I healed you. I redeemed you. I will give you life that is unending, eternal, and supernatural - and meaningful. I will show you what you most want - I will show you the face of God."

          May you spend the rest of your Advent season allowing God to look upon you as you gaze upon God. Let God tell you, "I want you. I want to look at your beautiful face. I want to honor you and be amazed at who you have become. I just want to spend time with you, my beloved."

          Then notice which song is in your ear this Advent. Sing it often and sing it to God - even if it is a commercialized Christmas song. Something fundamental is speaking to you. Tell God all about it. May your soul have room for hope and stillness. It will give your soul room to rejoice. 

Spirituality: The Angel Gabriel

Every time I hear the Annunciation story, I begin to wonder about the fill-in-the-blank moments. For instance, I ponder what was in like when the Trinitarian God summoned the angel Gabriel and told him of the divine plan. Ignatius of Loyola has a person contemplate a conversation in heaven among the three Persons of the Trinity at which point the Second Person offers to take on the mission, but what about the conversation with Gabriel?

Yes, Gabriel is a messenger, an angel. Did he wonder why, of all the angels, he was called for this special role? He still has to receive the news from God of the salvific plan.  I can imagine him being blown away when he hears God's vision for the world and he comes to know of God's heartfelt compassion for the peoples of the world. Gabriel must have to take a while to digest what is being told to him. His emotions must be running sky-high as God is doing something extraordinary. They have waited long enough because they see how far the people have moved away from God and they are expectantly waiting for the day when they will be drawn close.

I'm sure Gabriel must have needed to spend time figuring out the ways he would approach the young girl from Palestine and tell her the tremendous news. I'm sure he did not want to come on too strong. God never acts with force or violence. Gabriel must have approached her successively so that she would have been familiar with him. Otherwise, the news might be too awe-invoking. After all, she is just a young woman.

I wonder how he approached her and had an initial conversation to break the ice. He must have needed courage. And once the conversation ended, he must have departed in a way that provided her with consolation and courage. I imagine that he was deeply invested in her answer and that he would protect her after she became pregnant. I reckon that he stayed close for a while because he cared for her and for the child who was being formed. I'm sure he worried about them and Joseph. Gabriel's job was not finished. More announcing would soon be done.

Prayer: Alfred Delp, S.J.

Advent is the time for rousing. We are shaken to the very depths so that we may wake up to the truth of ourselves.

Prayer: before a Creche

Lord Jesus, together with the shepherds

we draw near to your crib.

We contemplate you, wrapped in swaddling cloths

and lying in the manger.

O Babe of Bethlehem,

we adore you in silence with Mary,

your ever-Virgin Mother.

To you be glory and praise forever,

O Savior of the world. Amen.

Prayer: Charles Borromeo

Now is the acceptable time spoken of by the Spirit, the day of salvation, peace, and reconciliation - the great season of Advent. This is the time eagerly awaited by the patriarchs and prophets, the time that holy Simeon rejoiced to see. This is the season that the Church has always celebrated with special solemnity. We too should always observe it with faith and love, offering praise and thanksgiving to the Father for the mercy and love he has show us in this mystery.

Poem: "The Call" by George Herbert

Come, my Way, my Truth, my Life:
Such a Way, as gives us breath;
Such a Truth, as ends all strife;
Such a Life, as killeth death.

Come, my Light, my Feast, my Strength
Such a Light, as shows a feast;
Such a Feast, as mends in length;
Such a Strength, as makes his guest.

Come, my Joy, my Love, my Heart;
Such a Joy, as none can move;
Such a Love, as none can part;
Such a Heart, as joys in love.

Prayer: Elizabeth Ann Seton

O Mary, be to us indeed a mother; pity the fears and sorrows of your children in our state of long uncertainty and danger; show yourself a mother to us in the hour of our death.

Third Sunday in Advent

Gaudete Sunday

December 11, 2011

Isaiah 61:1-2; 10-11; Luke 1:46-54; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24; John 1:6-8, 19-28

          No one can rejoice without singing. Songs encapsulate feelings that cannot be put into words. Songs also can act like earworms - informing our unconscious and bringing greater meaning through a simple melody that captivates our attention. Songs bring to mind memories of life's special events.

          Rejoicing pervades the readings this week as the church is encouraging the faithful to persevere in their waiting and to mark that we are more than halfway through the Advent season. In the Responsorial, Mary sings her song of praise to God for choosing her to be the Lord's mother. Isaiah rejoices in God for the steadfast protection God has given the people, Israel. He gushes that "the Spirit of the Lord is upon" him as the one  anointed to bring news of healing, liberation, and a jubilee year of favor. This is the same reading Jesus uses at the beginning of his public ministry in Luke.

          Paul insists upon our praying always and giving thanks in all situations because we can find God's will in all spheres of life. He recommends that we adopt an attitude of openness to all that is good by testing all things because good can be found in everything. Hold onto the life-giving, creative, fruit-producing deeds because God's will is operative in them. Paul says that the God of peace will sustain you and will help you accomplish it.

          The Gospel informs us of the grand transition that is taking place. John the Baptist, the strong evangelizing prophet, tells the priests and Levites that he is not the one who is to come. His negatives are firm and powerful: He is not he Christ, nor Elijah, nor the great Prophet, nor the one they seek. His affirmative statement is that he is a necessary piece of the puzzle. He is the voice (not the word) of one crying in the desert. He is announcing that the Old Testament hopes are being fulfilled. If the priests have ears to hear, then their hearts can only be joyful because God is remaining true to his promises.

          We have to give the priests some leeway here. While their line of questioning is direct, they sincerely want to know the source of John's power. Their question, "Who are you?" is loaded. Rather than sounding accusatory, they want to know if they are to believe in God's unfolding power too.

          They will later ask Jesus the same questions: What is the source and power of your authority? What is your relationship to God? Are you the one for whom all of Israel seeks? In other words, as priests and Levites who are legitimately ordained to God, we want to know how we are to respond. We want to believe because all of this is incredible and we have been appointed by God. As upholders of the tradition, we want to know it we are included in God's plan? The priests come as we do - expectant in the arrival of the Messiah.

          John's answer is enough to leave them with hope or fear. We have a choice about how to respond. We can resist the in-breaking plan of God and deal with the consequences of fear and loss or we can stop and hope and wonder. John's answer leaves many expecting the Messiah to present himself soon. He says he is already among them. We have to learn to read the signs of the times and be open to the marvel that follows. It makes our souls sing.

          What song is in your ear this Advent? May your soul have room for hope and rejoicing.

Themes for this Week’s Masses

The "O, Antiphons" begin on Saturday, December 17th.

First Reading:  Zechariah proclaims that the Lord is coming soon to dwell among the people of Zion. The Lord will take favor on his people. Zephaniah however proclaims woe to the rebellious and polluted city for she has not heard the word of the Lord, but the Lord will come to purify the lips of the people. On that day, the people need not be ashamed of their deeds because the braggarts will be separated from the holy ones. Isaiah tells that the powerful One God who created the light and darkness is the one in whom our trust is to be placed for he is a steadfast God. The Lord God is the only God and to him every knee shall bend and by him every tongue shall swear. Isaiah then rejoices that the barren one will have numerous descendents that will fill up the entire earth. The Lord will uphold the ones who have been forgotten and shall restore their fortunes for he is a loving God. The holy mountain of God will contain his house that is to be a house of prayer for all peoples - including foreigners. In Genesis, Jacob (Israel) calls his sons and tells them they are to praise Judah for the scepter shall never depart from his hands.

Gospel: For the feast of Guadalupe, we hear the annunciation story when the angel Gabriel comes to Mary to inform her God has chosen her to bear a son who is to be named Emmanuel. Jesus then tells the parable of two sons who are asked to work in the vineyard. One says no but does the work; the other says yes and doesn't. Jesus uses this to illustrate that tax collectors and prostitutes will make it into the kingdom before the elders of the community.

Meanwhile, John the Baptists sent two disciples to Jesus to inquire if he was the one who is to come. Jesus exclaims that John has to look at the in-breaking of God all around him and delight with joy. Jesus turns to his friends and asks them about John. "What did you go out to see?" he probes. Jesus upholds John as one of the greatest men ever born. Jesus then tells them that the works he performs are those of the Father. He has greater testimony than John's. To kick off the O Antiphons, we turn to the genealogy of Joseph as told my Matthew. It secures Jesus as one within the Davidic heritage and as a descendent of Abraham.

Saints of the Week

Monday: The feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is celebrated to remember the four apparitions to Juan Diego in 1531 near Mexico City shortly after the Spanish conquest of the Aztecs. Mary appeared as a native Mexican princess and her image is imprinted on a cloak that was presented to the bishop.

Tuesday: Lucy, martyr (d. 304), was born into a noble Sicilian family and killed during the Diocletian persecution. In the Middle Ages, people with eye trouble invoked her aid because her name means "light." Scandinavia today still honors Lucy in a great festival of light on this day.

Wednesday: John of the Cross, priest and doctor (1542-1591), was a Carmelite who reformed his order with the help of Teresa of Avila. They created the Discalced (without shoes) Carmelite Order that offered a stricter interpretation of their rules. John was opposed by his community and placed in prison for a year. He wrote the classics, "Ascent of Mount Carmel," "Dark Night of the Soul," and "Living Flame of Love."

This Week in Jesuit History

·         Dec 11, 1686. At Rome, Fr. Charles de Noyelle, a Belgian, died as the 12th general of the Society.

·         Dec 12, 1661. In the College of Clermont, Paris, Fr. James Caret publicly defended the doctrine of papal infallibility, causing great excitement among the Gallicans and Jansenists.

·         Dec 13, 1545. The opening of the Council of Trent to which Frs. Laynez and Salmeron were sent as papal theologians and Fr. Claude LeJay as theologian of Cardinal Otho Truchses.

·         Dec 14, 1979. The death of Ricardo Lombardi, founder of the Better World Movement.

·         Dec 15, 1631. At Naples, during an earthquake and the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, the Jesuits worked to help all classes of people.

·         Dec 16, 1544. Francis Xavier entered Cochin.

·         Dec 17, 1588. At Paris, Fr. Henry Walpole was ordained.