Yeah - it's childish.
Yeah - it's REALLY childish.
And, yeah - it's a question that I ask. A LOT.
"Do I have to?" That seems to be a question that I'm asking a lot in my prayer recently. Possibly because I know that there are things in my calendar that I'm not really looking forward to - but knowing that I have to do them, I've been getting frustrated at the Lord because I haven't been able to do the things that I want to be doing.
And not just the *fun* things . . .
There are items for the parish that I would like to be doing: preparing events for the Young Adults, spending more time with the Youth Ministry, spending time with the various groups of the parish on occasion, teaching a class, and the like. However, because of the things that pop up in my calendar, which are just as important as those things I wish I could be doing, my wishes are placed in the back seat.
But this is not to say that I don't get to do any of the events listed above. There are those moments in which something on the calendar gets cancelled, and one of my "wishes can come true". It's not often that this happens, but, every so often, lightning strikes.
I've been asking this question and feeling frustrated in this way a lot from the time I got back from making my retreat in October until now. Our parish has seemed to have had an upswing in funerals recently. (16 in October, and 12 in January.) It can be a lot, especially when you add the normal life of the parish on top of ministry to the deceased's family. And when you're in the "crazy busy" seasons of Advent, Christmas, Lent or Easter (especially around the Triduum), you almost have no time to do anything - or nothing. (Take your pick . . . they're both true!)
Nevertheless, at the end of the day, I know the answer to my question. "Yes, you have to. This is what you've committed your life to." And while I may ask the question in frustration in my prayer, it's ultimately my grumbling to God, my human weaknesses being played out, my tiredness and lack of sleep catching up to me - just wanting to find some extra time to just be quiet, to be still in the presence of God. And those are the days and the times that I really realize that while I'm "doing what I'm supposed to be doing", I need to readjust my mentality, and take those extra five minutes to recall in the quiet and stillness that it is Christ that I truly can do anything.
Does this mean I won't ever complain to God (or my friends and family) again? No. I know I will, because it's something that humans do to let go of some of the stress and anxiety that we find in our lives, especially when we feel that everything is closing in around us on all sides. I'm no exception in that fact. But what I can do is something that I recommend to people in confession: Take a moment to step back, take a breath, and ask the Lord to assist me in the endeavor at hand. Does this mean that I will be successful in carrying out the task at hand? Not necessarily. But that doesn't mean I won't give it my all.
Essentially, the question is not "Do I have to?" . . . The REAL question is "Do I want to?" The answer to the first question will most likely always be "yes". (Although I'm sure there will be some exceptions from time to time.) Yet the answer to the second question is the answer that I'll grapple over, because while I'm crying out the first question to God, my heart is really asking the second question. And God can't answer that question. Because of my free will, only I can answer that question when I ask it. And I have to admit that sometimes the answer will be "no" - but that doesn't mean that I won't do what I have to.
And thank God for that.
(You can consider this one of those "complaints".)
Enjoy the journey . . .
28 January 2013
27 January 2013
Some (not so) Quick Thoughts and Notes
I was trying to think yesterday on the final version of what I wanted to preach on today, and so I hoped to write some points down. What I ended up doing was to write a homily, which I used points of in the homilies I preached this weekend, but I did not preach exactly what I had written. I thought that I would share this with you.
-----------------
What's our idea of "freedom"? For most of us, it's what [is] found in our nation's Constitution or the Declaration of Independence. And that, in some way, could be seen as a correct interpretation.
But that's not the full interpretation. Nor can it ever be.
My brothers and sisters, we just listened to Jesus say that the Scripture was fulfilled in the people's hearing. And not just in the hearing of the Jews of Nazareth two-thousand years ago, but also in OUR hearing.
We need to rejoice in this fact.
Just as the ancient Israelites rejoiced at Ezra's reading of the Law, so must we rejoice at the fact that Christ Jesus is the fulfillment of the Law. He is also the fulfillment of the prophets. He IS the fulfillment of all things and in all times.
It is from this reality that we rejoice in TRUE, REAL, and ABSOLUTE FREEDOM. And it is in to that reality that we, ourselves, have been baptized. It is in this Christocentric freedom that we are called to live in. It is in this freedom that all of our desires find true fulfillment. It is in this Christ-centered reality and freedom that glad tidings are brought to the poor, liberty is proclaimed to captives, sight is restored to the blind, the oppressed are set free, and a year acceptable to the Lord is announced.
It is in this life lived in and mystery of Christ that we find our absolute freedom and fulfillment.
In our Responsorial Psalm, we remarked how the words of the Lord are "Spirit and life". It's only in that Spirit and life that we dare to live in when we - as individuals and as a community - truly understand that it is in Christ, and Christ alone, that we live in true freedom; that He alone is the fulfillment not only of the Law, not only of the prophets, not only of the totality of the Scriptures and of Tradition, but the totality of all that was, that is, and that will be. Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit, becomes in His Incarnation the total and complete fulfillment of the promises of the Father.
Freedom that is true, freedom that is real, freedom that is absolute is only found in Christ because He IS the fulfillment of all freedom. And to live otherwise - that is, to live in a life of sin, no matter how big or how small - is to reject the gifts that are given to us by God, and to reject the fact that He has claimed to be - AND IS! - the fulfillment of all we desire.
Let's not fool ourselves with the lies of our society, with the lies of the Devil: That "freedom" is doing whatever we want, whenever we want. Rather, let's immerse ourselves in the truth that our true freedom is lived out when we acknowledge that Christ is the fulfillment of all we desire.
--------------------------
Not my greatest work, in my humble opinion. However, there were things in this reflection that made it into the homilies I preached - and not all at the same Mass. It was good to have it that way, I believe.
Well, three Masses down for the weekend, one to go.
Enjoy the journey . . .
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Some Quick Thoughts and Notes for the Homily
Sunday, 27 January 2013
Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
What's our idea of "freedom"? For most of us, it's what [is] found in our nation's Constitution or the Declaration of Independence. And that, in some way, could be seen as a correct interpretation.
But that's not the full interpretation. Nor can it ever be.
My brothers and sisters, we just listened to Jesus say that the Scripture was fulfilled in the people's hearing. And not just in the hearing of the Jews of Nazareth two-thousand years ago, but also in OUR hearing.
We need to rejoice in this fact.
Just as the ancient Israelites rejoiced at Ezra's reading of the Law, so must we rejoice at the fact that Christ Jesus is the fulfillment of the Law. He is also the fulfillment of the prophets. He IS the fulfillment of all things and in all times.
It is from this reality that we rejoice in TRUE, REAL, and ABSOLUTE FREEDOM. And it is in to that reality that we, ourselves, have been baptized. It is in this Christocentric freedom that we are called to live in. It is in this freedom that all of our desires find true fulfillment. It is in this Christ-centered reality and freedom that glad tidings are brought to the poor, liberty is proclaimed to captives, sight is restored to the blind, the oppressed are set free, and a year acceptable to the Lord is announced.
It is in this life lived in and mystery of Christ that we find our absolute freedom and fulfillment.
In our Responsorial Psalm, we remarked how the words of the Lord are "Spirit and life". It's only in that Spirit and life that we dare to live in when we - as individuals and as a community - truly understand that it is in Christ, and Christ alone, that we live in true freedom; that He alone is the fulfillment not only of the Law, not only of the prophets, not only of the totality of the Scriptures and of Tradition, but the totality of all that was, that is, and that will be. Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit, becomes in His Incarnation the total and complete fulfillment of the promises of the Father.
Freedom that is true, freedom that is real, freedom that is absolute is only found in Christ because He IS the fulfillment of all freedom. And to live otherwise - that is, to live in a life of sin, no matter how big or how small - is to reject the gifts that are given to us by God, and to reject the fact that He has claimed to be - AND IS! - the fulfillment of all we desire.
Let's not fool ourselves with the lies of our society, with the lies of the Devil: That "freedom" is doing whatever we want, whenever we want. Rather, let's immerse ourselves in the truth that our true freedom is lived out when we acknowledge that Christ is the fulfillment of all we desire.
--------------------------
Not my greatest work, in my humble opinion. However, there were things in this reflection that made it into the homilies I preached - and not all at the same Mass. It was good to have it that way, I believe.
Well, three Masses down for the weekend, one to go.
Enjoy the journey . . .
18 January 2013
Thoughts for Sunday's Homily
The following is a full-written-out homily . . . sort of. I was just writing while trying to put some thoughts together for what I might say this weekend. It's nothing special, and may seem choppy in places - and I apologize for that. I just hope that, after reading this, you may have one thought to walk away with. I don't know how much, if at all, of this I will use on Sunday. I'm just happy that the Holy Spirit was able to work with me in being able to put some thoughts down on paper.
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Sunday, 20 January 2013 - Second Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year C
Let's pause here for a moment and think about one of the great archetypes that we find in literature, film and theater: The quiet, supporting character who says almost nothing throughout the piece until that climatic moment when their wisdom and / or their humor puts the entire story into perspective. We can say it's the "aha" moment of the work.
My brothers and sisters, this is what we find in today's Gospel when Mary, who says very little in Scripture, tells the servants at the wedding to do whatever Jesus commands them to do. This is that "aha" moment this is later paralleled at the Last Supper when Jesus, Himself, tells His disciples that they are His friends if they do what He commands. Yet Mary is just not talking to the servants; she is also talking to us: "Do whatever He tells you." But like obstinate children, we don't want to do what our Mother asks of us. We don't always want to do what the Lord commands because we find it too difficult to follow. What the Lord asks of us is somewhat incompatible with our so-called "freedom".
The Lord - Our God - loves us so much that He desires complete intimacy with us. In our First Reading from the prophet Isaiah, we hear how the Lord wants to marry us - to become so completely intimate with us, RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW - that He is willing to give us a new name, a new identity. And we receive that new name ("Christian"), that new identity in Baptism.
Yet just by being baptized does not mean we have automatic intimacy with God. We must, as Mary reminds us, do as Jesus tells us. And, ultimately, that means we must do as He commands . . . And those commands are found in Scripture and in the Traditions of the Church.
However, as adults and as Americans, we hate to be told what to do. We hate the fact that entities and institutions (like the Church and the government) try to control our lives. We know, though, that true freedom is ultimately found when we submit our will and freedom to that of the Lord's. This is why Mary is not only the perfect model of submission and saying "Yes" to God's will for her, but also why she is the perfect patron of the United States. Our country was founded on on the freedoms and ideals of independence that originate from the guidance of Divine Providence. Mary teaches us in so many ways how to truly live those freedoms, that independence perfectly - and that IS to rely fully and only in the great Providence what comes from God and God alone. It is only when we do whatever Christ tells us that we gain the opportunity to understand a little more fully how it is that God works in our lives.
At the time of my ordination, I had a discussion with my cousin who is in the military. He and I discussed how our two lives were alike. He and I both had to answer to a "higher authority"; he and I both were ready to go to wherever we were sent; he and I were putting our lives on the line and sacrificing ourselves for ideals that were beyond us and much greater than either of us. Ultimately, it came down to submitting our wills and our lives to the service of something greater.
It is, then, in coming to the submission of our wills to the Lord's that - when we do whatever He tells us - we form that intimacy with the Lord. That is why we have been given the variety of gifts that Saint Paul reminds us of in our Second Reading from his First Letter to the Corinthians. Those gifts and talents that the Lord gives to us are not to be squandered for our own entertainment or selfish service. Rather, those gifts are given to us so that we may draw others more intimately into the love of the Lord, just as we ourselves are found to be. We want others to come to know the great freedom that is found in a life in Christ just as we, ourselves, have discovered it.
How do we do that? For starters, we begin by looking at and following the great example of Mary. Then, by coming to recognize our own intimate relationship with our God, we are able to introduce Christ to them, so that they may know the fullness of light and life that come from an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ.
Ultimately, it comes down to listening to those five simple words of the Blessed Mother: "Do whatever He tells you." Truthfully, we need to ask ourselves if we're able to do so. For some of us, it will be a "yes", given whole-heartedly and with reckless abandon. For others of us, it will be an honest "no", coming to realize that Jesus is asking of us more than what we're willing to give at this present moment.
For the majority of us, however, it will be the mix of "yes" and "no" moments. It will be the interior wanting to do what the Lord commands, but, when putting our faith into practice, the pressures of society and the fears of our egos will overtake us. Our flesh becomes frozen, but our hearts cry out to God.
This moment that we share in - right here, right now - is the moment that, through Word and Sacrament, our God becomes so intimate with us that we should be passing out in ecstasy. This is that great moment that we have been yearning for all week: That instant when the flesh of the Creator and the flesh of the creation meet; when we consume our God and, in turn, are consumed by the intense, ecstatic, intimate Love that He Is.
"Do whatever He tells you." Why? Because, ultimately, we yearn for intimacy with Him. But, more than that, He yearns for intimacy with us. And, like Mary, it's up to us to say, "Yes."
-------------------------
Enjoy the journey . . .
---------------
Sunday, 20 January 2013 - Second Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year C
Let's pause here for a moment and think about one of the great archetypes that we find in literature, film and theater: The quiet, supporting character who says almost nothing throughout the piece until that climatic moment when their wisdom and / or their humor puts the entire story into perspective. We can say it's the "aha" moment of the work.
My brothers and sisters, this is what we find in today's Gospel when Mary, who says very little in Scripture, tells the servants at the wedding to do whatever Jesus commands them to do. This is that "aha" moment this is later paralleled at the Last Supper when Jesus, Himself, tells His disciples that they are His friends if they do what He commands. Yet Mary is just not talking to the servants; she is also talking to us: "Do whatever He tells you." But like obstinate children, we don't want to do what our Mother asks of us. We don't always want to do what the Lord commands because we find it too difficult to follow. What the Lord asks of us is somewhat incompatible with our so-called "freedom".
The Lord - Our God - loves us so much that He desires complete intimacy with us. In our First Reading from the prophet Isaiah, we hear how the Lord wants to marry us - to become so completely intimate with us, RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW - that He is willing to give us a new name, a new identity. And we receive that new name ("Christian"), that new identity in Baptism.
Yet just by being baptized does not mean we have automatic intimacy with God. We must, as Mary reminds us, do as Jesus tells us. And, ultimately, that means we must do as He commands . . . And those commands are found in Scripture and in the Traditions of the Church.
However, as adults and as Americans, we hate to be told what to do. We hate the fact that entities and institutions (like the Church and the government) try to control our lives. We know, though, that true freedom is ultimately found when we submit our will and freedom to that of the Lord's. This is why Mary is not only the perfect model of submission and saying "Yes" to God's will for her, but also why she is the perfect patron of the United States. Our country was founded on on the freedoms and ideals of independence that originate from the guidance of Divine Providence. Mary teaches us in so many ways how to truly live those freedoms, that independence perfectly - and that IS to rely fully and only in the great Providence what comes from God and God alone. It is only when we do whatever Christ tells us that we gain the opportunity to understand a little more fully how it is that God works in our lives.
At the time of my ordination, I had a discussion with my cousin who is in the military. He and I discussed how our two lives were alike. He and I both had to answer to a "higher authority"; he and I both were ready to go to wherever we were sent; he and I were putting our lives on the line and sacrificing ourselves for ideals that were beyond us and much greater than either of us. Ultimately, it came down to submitting our wills and our lives to the service of something greater.
It is, then, in coming to the submission of our wills to the Lord's that - when we do whatever He tells us - we form that intimacy with the Lord. That is why we have been given the variety of gifts that Saint Paul reminds us of in our Second Reading from his First Letter to the Corinthians. Those gifts and talents that the Lord gives to us are not to be squandered for our own entertainment or selfish service. Rather, those gifts are given to us so that we may draw others more intimately into the love of the Lord, just as we ourselves are found to be. We want others to come to know the great freedom that is found in a life in Christ just as we, ourselves, have discovered it.
How do we do that? For starters, we begin by looking at and following the great example of Mary. Then, by coming to recognize our own intimate relationship with our God, we are able to introduce Christ to them, so that they may know the fullness of light and life that come from an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ.
Ultimately, it comes down to listening to those five simple words of the Blessed Mother: "Do whatever He tells you." Truthfully, we need to ask ourselves if we're able to do so. For some of us, it will be a "yes", given whole-heartedly and with reckless abandon. For others of us, it will be an honest "no", coming to realize that Jesus is asking of us more than what we're willing to give at this present moment.
For the majority of us, however, it will be the mix of "yes" and "no" moments. It will be the interior wanting to do what the Lord commands, but, when putting our faith into practice, the pressures of society and the fears of our egos will overtake us. Our flesh becomes frozen, but our hearts cry out to God.
This moment that we share in - right here, right now - is the moment that, through Word and Sacrament, our God becomes so intimate with us that we should be passing out in ecstasy. This is that great moment that we have been yearning for all week: That instant when the flesh of the Creator and the flesh of the creation meet; when we consume our God and, in turn, are consumed by the intense, ecstatic, intimate Love that He Is.
"Do whatever He tells you." Why? Because, ultimately, we yearn for intimacy with Him. But, more than that, He yearns for intimacy with us. And, like Mary, it's up to us to say, "Yes."
-------------------------
Enjoy the journey . . .
Prayer for Christian Unity
This week, as we do every year, from January 18-25, Christians around the world celebrate this great Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Below is a prayer that "all may be one" in the flock and fold of our Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ.
Prayer for Christian Unity
Lord Jesus Christ, at your Last Supper you prayed to the Father that all should be one. Send your Holy Spirit upon all who bear your name and seek to serve you. Strengthen our faith in you, and lead us to love one another in humility. May we who have been reborn in one baptism be united in one faith under one Shepherd. Amen.
Enjoy the journey . . .
Prayer for Christian Unity
Lord Jesus Christ, at your Last Supper you prayed to the Father that all should be one. Send your Holy Spirit upon all who bear your name and seek to serve you. Strengthen our faith in you, and lead us to love one another in humility. May we who have been reborn in one baptism be united in one faith under one Shepherd. Amen.
Enjoy the journey . . .
16 January 2013
Where Two or Three are Gathered . . .
Earlier this morning, I performed a funeral for a 90-year-old lady named Bertha.
This was not the typical funeral we have here at the parish.
Though while she was older, Bertha had no family - immediate or extended - to speak of, and really no close friends. She had her Power of Attorney, and some people who took care of her in the facility where she lived.
It was going to be a small funeral. I only predicted myself, the three ministers who were serving and reading, the music minister, the parish social minister, and the POA.
After all, as a friend reminded me, "Where two or three are gathered . . ."
Gladly, I was wrong.
It WAS a small funeral. But there were more people than I expected. Though the total in the pews only ended up to be 12-18 people, it was wonderful to see that. We had some of the parish's Ladies of Charity present, and some members of the Catholic Daughters of America showed up as well (Bertha was a member.). But, also, some people who must have known her as a neighbor showed up for the funeral.
I was pleased.
And though we were small in number, I believe our prayers for Bertha were fervent. And after talking with the POA and our social minister at the cemetery, I think that Bertha would be pleased with her funeral.
I'm sure she was praying for us as we were praying for her.
As another friend said, "May her memory be eternal." And since we remember all the dead in the Mass we celebrate each and every day, her memory will be eternal. I just pray that Bertha - and all those who have gone before us marked with the sign of faith - will continue to pray for us who remain on Earth until the day we are called home or, if it be the will of God, the day when Christ returns in His glory.
+++ Eternal rest grant unto Bertha, O Lord. And may perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace. May her soul and all the souls of the faithful, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen. +++
Enjoy the journey . . .
This was not the typical funeral we have here at the parish.
Though while she was older, Bertha had no family - immediate or extended - to speak of, and really no close friends. She had her Power of Attorney, and some people who took care of her in the facility where she lived.
It was going to be a small funeral. I only predicted myself, the three ministers who were serving and reading, the music minister, the parish social minister, and the POA.
After all, as a friend reminded me, "Where two or three are gathered . . ."
Gladly, I was wrong.
It WAS a small funeral. But there were more people than I expected. Though the total in the pews only ended up to be 12-18 people, it was wonderful to see that. We had some of the parish's Ladies of Charity present, and some members of the Catholic Daughters of America showed up as well (Bertha was a member.). But, also, some people who must have known her as a neighbor showed up for the funeral.
I was pleased.
And though we were small in number, I believe our prayers for Bertha were fervent. And after talking with the POA and our social minister at the cemetery, I think that Bertha would be pleased with her funeral.
I'm sure she was praying for us as we were praying for her.
As another friend said, "May her memory be eternal." And since we remember all the dead in the Mass we celebrate each and every day, her memory will be eternal. I just pray that Bertha - and all those who have gone before us marked with the sign of faith - will continue to pray for us who remain on Earth until the day we are called home or, if it be the will of God, the day when Christ returns in His glory.
+++ Eternal rest grant unto Bertha, O Lord. And may perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace. May her soul and all the souls of the faithful, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen. +++
Enjoy the journey . . .
09 January 2013
Health and Good Fortune . . . and Tea!
Actually, the title is what I feel that I need: health and good fortune. Since December 30th, I've been fighting with a cold. (Nothing more, thank goodness!) But this cold is lingering, and causing me congestion and tiredness. And though I'm not feeling too bad overall, it's a bit draining. I just need a bit of the good fortune of the new year to bring me some time of rest and a little dose of "getting the heck better".
But that's where the tea comes in. I love tea. Especially iced tea, since I'm not too keen on hot drinks. Also, I'm not a big fan of coffee (though occasionally I'll have an iced coffee [vanilla]). But if I do have hot tea, I prefer it to be Earl Grey. (Yes, like Captain Picard: "Tea. Earl Grey. Hot.") But I absolutely love iced tea. (I'm drinking it now. [And still listening to my Christmas music! . . . Are you?!])
Iced tea is one of those "comforts" I have in my life. It not only reminds me of my childhood - especially those summers which never seemed to end! -, but also reminds me of family dinners and get-togethers . . . those times in life which are the happiest. I am reminded of the annual Fourth of July Picnics at my parents' house: fireworks in the alley with my cousins, going to and climbing the Mound in the park and going to get ice cream with Uncle Bill, sitting on the hill in the park with the family for the city's fireworks, and eating slice upon slice of watermelon, spitting the seeds into the garden below the back porch. (Because if you eat / swallow a watermelon seed, you'll have a watermelon growing inside of you!)
Yet, it's a comfort to me in those times that I have felt the most frustration and anxiety, especially in the seminary when studying for exams or staying up all night to write that paper that's due at 8:00 AM. It gives me that "calming effect" where I can sit back, take a breath, and take a fresh look at what it is that's giving me the anxiety at that moment. And in those moments, taking a step back to look at the big picture and re-look at what I've done is always a good thing.
Ben Franklin is quoted to have said that "Beer is the proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy." I'm not disagreeing with Doctor Franklin, since I, too, enjoy a good beer very much. However, I think that the same could be said about tea, if I could paraphrase the statement. These little comforts - whether they be comfort food or comfort drink - are reminders to us that God did not create us to be completely uncomfortable in this world. Of course, He did not promise a life full of comforts either. And, of course, we should not over-indulge in these comforts. ("Moderation in everything!") But that's what these "comforts" are for: To take a moment to step back and recognize where God is and we are in those moments of joy and suffering, and to not become overwhelmed with life and all the highs and lows we go through while living.
It may seem silly to do an entire blog entry on the subject of tea, yet, I'm only human, and, on occasion, I need one of my "comforts" to make it through the day. For some people, it's coffee, and for others it's chocolate. For me, it's a good glass of iced tea. Because, for me, taking that moment to enjoy a sip of tea reminds me to stop, look at the big picture, where I am and God is in all of it, and to not become overwhelmed with everything. Especially in these moments when the frustrations of lack-of-health (a.k.a., a cold) and all the "bad fortune" that comes along with being sick, it's good for me - and for you - to take a moment to be reminded that it's best "just to be", and to know that we are to take comfort in the fact that it is and we are all in God's hands.
Iced tea just helps me remember that fact.
Enjoy the journey . . .
But that's where the tea comes in. I love tea. Especially iced tea, since I'm not too keen on hot drinks. Also, I'm not a big fan of coffee (though occasionally I'll have an iced coffee [vanilla]). But if I do have hot tea, I prefer it to be Earl Grey. (Yes, like Captain Picard: "Tea. Earl Grey. Hot.") But I absolutely love iced tea. (I'm drinking it now. [And still listening to my Christmas music! . . . Are you?!])
Iced tea is one of those "comforts" I have in my life. It not only reminds me of my childhood - especially those summers which never seemed to end! -, but also reminds me of family dinners and get-togethers . . . those times in life which are the happiest. I am reminded of the annual Fourth of July Picnics at my parents' house: fireworks in the alley with my cousins, going to and climbing the Mound in the park and going to get ice cream with Uncle Bill, sitting on the hill in the park with the family for the city's fireworks, and eating slice upon slice of watermelon, spitting the seeds into the garden below the back porch. (Because if you eat / swallow a watermelon seed, you'll have a watermelon growing inside of you!)
Yet, it's a comfort to me in those times that I have felt the most frustration and anxiety, especially in the seminary when studying for exams or staying up all night to write that paper that's due at 8:00 AM. It gives me that "calming effect" where I can sit back, take a breath, and take a fresh look at what it is that's giving me the anxiety at that moment. And in those moments, taking a step back to look at the big picture and re-look at what I've done is always a good thing.
Ben Franklin is quoted to have said that "Beer is the proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy." I'm not disagreeing with Doctor Franklin, since I, too, enjoy a good beer very much. However, I think that the same could be said about tea, if I could paraphrase the statement. These little comforts - whether they be comfort food or comfort drink - are reminders to us that God did not create us to be completely uncomfortable in this world. Of course, He did not promise a life full of comforts either. And, of course, we should not over-indulge in these comforts. ("Moderation in everything!") But that's what these "comforts" are for: To take a moment to step back and recognize where God is and we are in those moments of joy and suffering, and to not become overwhelmed with life and all the highs and lows we go through while living.
It may seem silly to do an entire blog entry on the subject of tea, yet, I'm only human, and, on occasion, I need one of my "comforts" to make it through the day. For some people, it's coffee, and for others it's chocolate. For me, it's a good glass of iced tea. Because, for me, taking that moment to enjoy a sip of tea reminds me to stop, look at the big picture, where I am and God is in all of it, and to not become overwhelmed with everything. Especially in these moments when the frustrations of lack-of-health (a.k.a., a cold) and all the "bad fortune" that comes along with being sick, it's good for me - and for you - to take a moment to be reminded that it's best "just to be", and to know that we are to take comfort in the fact that it is and we are all in God's hands.
Iced tea just helps me remember that fact.
Enjoy the journey . . .
04 January 2013
Christmas Isn't Over Just Yet!
Though the event of Christmas Day has come and gone, the Catholic Church continues to celebrate the Christmas season through the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, which this year is Sunday, 13 January 2013.
But this weekend is probably one of my favorite feasts: The Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord. Not only is it "little Christmas", but this weekend's celebration truly helps us remember who this baby Jesus is . . . Who He TRULY is. I've probably mentioned how "We Three Kings" is one of my favorite Christmas tunes, if not one of my all-time favorite songs, but people have the tendency to not really think about the words that they're singing in this song.
If we think about the three gifts, we are thinking about Who He Is. The gold reminds us that this little baby is the King . . . not just of the Jews, but of everyone and everywhere! This is why when He is before Pilate, Jesus can say that His Kingdom is not of this world, because it's not. Though it's begun in this world, its fulfillment is in the world to come.
The frankincense given is presented to God. Not just "a god", but THE GOD of all creation. The smoke and smell given off when this frankincense is burned reminds us of what we offer to the Lord, which is, namely, our entire being. It's important for us to not simply offer just words to the Lord, but through the entirety of our being - engaging all the senses - do we begin to offer the Lord the totality of who we are.
The myrrh reminds us that Jesus had to come to Earth to die. People don't like to really think of this fact at Christmas. We want all the "happy" and "pretty" things. We, as a society, don't like to think at this joyous time of the year of the "why" of Jesus' Incarnation - that He came to be among us, to die like one of us, so that we may eventually (God willing) live like Him.
And that's only the celebration for this weekend! Next weekend, we close out the Christmas season with the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord (as mentioned above). So don't put your trees and lights away just yet! Keep them up, burning brightly! Keep playing that Christmas music! (I am, right now!) Don't be like our society and limit the ecstasy of Christmas to one day . . . Keep the season going until its proper end, and then continue to celebrate throughout the year!
Enjoy the journey . . .
But this weekend is probably one of my favorite feasts: The Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord. Not only is it "little Christmas", but this weekend's celebration truly helps us remember who this baby Jesus is . . . Who He TRULY is. I've probably mentioned how "We Three Kings" is one of my favorite Christmas tunes, if not one of my all-time favorite songs, but people have the tendency to not really think about the words that they're singing in this song.
If we think about the three gifts, we are thinking about Who He Is. The gold reminds us that this little baby is the King . . . not just of the Jews, but of everyone and everywhere! This is why when He is before Pilate, Jesus can say that His Kingdom is not of this world, because it's not. Though it's begun in this world, its fulfillment is in the world to come.
The frankincense given is presented to God. Not just "a god", but THE GOD of all creation. The smoke and smell given off when this frankincense is burned reminds us of what we offer to the Lord, which is, namely, our entire being. It's important for us to not simply offer just words to the Lord, but through the entirety of our being - engaging all the senses - do we begin to offer the Lord the totality of who we are.
The myrrh reminds us that Jesus had to come to Earth to die. People don't like to really think of this fact at Christmas. We want all the "happy" and "pretty" things. We, as a society, don't like to think at this joyous time of the year of the "why" of Jesus' Incarnation - that He came to be among us, to die like one of us, so that we may eventually (God willing) live like Him.
And that's only the celebration for this weekend! Next weekend, we close out the Christmas season with the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord (as mentioned above). So don't put your trees and lights away just yet! Keep them up, burning brightly! Keep playing that Christmas music! (I am, right now!) Don't be like our society and limit the ecstasy of Christmas to one day . . . Keep the season going until its proper end, and then continue to celebrate throughout the year!
Enjoy the journey . . .
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