20 December 2014

God's Dwelling



Homily for the 4th Sunday of Advent
21 December 2014

Just as the term Church refers to the living temple, God's People, the term Church also has been used to describe "the building in which the Christian community gathers to hear the word of God, to pray together, to receive the sacraments, and celebrate the Eucharist." That building is both the house of God on earth (domus Dei) and a house fit for the prayers of the saints (domus ecclesiae). Such a house of prayer must be expressive of the presence of God and suited for the celebration of the sacrifice of Christ, as well as reflective of the community that celebrates there.
Built of Living Stones: Art, Architecture, and Worship, 16
      
       God’s dwelling.

       That’s where we’re at.

       That’s who we are.

       That’s what we’re trying to build.

       That’s who we’re trying to be.

       Our First Reading retells the story of David’s desire to build God a proper dwelling place, a temple. While we know that it was eventually Solomon who built the first Temple, God reassures David that He dwells among His people. He also assures David that there will be a descendent that will arise from His people who will be the fulfillment of David’s kingship and royal heritage.

       Fast-forward one thousand years: A young woman fulfilling the duties of her day has the experience of an angel of the Lord coming to her, telling her that she is to be the Mother of the Son of God. God, again, reassuring His people that He continues to dwell among them. However, by becoming one of us, God fulfills His promise, and His Son, the One to be named “Jesus”, will bring to fruition what David had started centuries before: Namely, the establishment of the Kingdom of God – a Kingdom which will have no end.

       Now jump ahead two thousand years to today: The Kingdom of God continues to be present in our world, but not in Its fullness. Yes, He continues to dwell among His people; His presence is abides among us. We build these great buildings in His honor for His presence to reside – these domus Dei, these domus ecclesiae. But it is not here that our Lord wishes to ultimately dwell.

Rather, as we know, He wishes to dwell within us, we who are His living Temples.

Yet, as we are remember how a church building must be expressive of the presence of God and suited for the celebration of the sacrifice of Christ, so must we, as Temples of the Lord, be a fitting place for the Lord to dwell.

On this Fourth and final Sunday of Advent, Mary’s example of preparing herself for so great a calling urges us to take a look at our lives and ponder if we are prepared to accept a similar calling. Mary, the greatest Temple and first tabernacle to house the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ, provides the model par excellence of what it means to be prepared to house Him who desires nothing more than to dwell with those who He hopes desires Him.

So the question arises: What is it that makes us as Temples lacking in the expressive presence of God? How suited are we for the celebration of the Paschal Mystery, as well as the Mystery of the Incarnation, in our lives?

In these last days heading toward the celebration of Christmas, what have we allowed through the “temple gates” to defile the dwelling of the Most High? Has it been the sins of gluttony, sloth, envy or lust? Has it been an addiction to alcohol, drugs, tobacco or pornography? Have we slandered the character of another through gossip? Have we used people to get what we desire, not really caring about their well-being? Have we neglected the needs of the poor? Have we allowed anger to fester in our hearts, prohibiting the repentance or forgiveness that we seek or another seeks from us? Have we respected the gift of life and the dignity of the human person from conception to natural death? Have we immorally used artificial birth control? Have we simply presumed the mercy of God in the Sacrament of Reconciliation or performed the sacrilege of receiving the Eucharist while a mortal sin rests on our soul?

If we answered “yes” to any of these questions, what are we planning to do to make of ourselves a worthy dwelling for the Lord?

If we’re able to receive the Eucharist this day, how will we allow that great Sacrament to not only abide inside us – these Temples made of clay – but also to purify that which is impure in our lives? If we’re unable to receive the Eucharist this day, how does our desire to share in the Sacrament prompt us to be reconciled to God and our brothers and sisters?

As members and heirs of the Kingdom of God, it is up to us to direct all of our thoughts, words and actions to the continual building up of the Kingdom. All the same, as living stones of the Temple of God, we must be expressive of the presence of God and suited for the celebration of the sacrifice of Christ.

       While this physical building reflects the spiritual reality that we live, we strive to become both the house of God on earth (domus Dei) and a house fit for the prayers of the saints (domus ecclesiae), since we are called to be a living house of God while we are on this Earth and a place where we can develop our vocation to be saints.

       At the end of this Advent season, we once again look to Mary to be that example for us to learn what it means to be open to the movement of the Holy Spirit so that we, too, may be living Temples of God. We look to the Blessed Mother to be for us that paradigm of what it means to allow the presence of Christ to be housed in us – Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity – as we carry out the vocation to be living tabernacles of His dwelling in the world. We ready ourselves in a special way in these closing days of preparation for Christ’s coming in giving of ourselves to God with reckless abandon so that Christ may be birthed through our thoughts, words and actions. And we prepare ourselves for the day that the establishment of the Kingdom of God is fulfilled – and we, God willing, can share in the eternal inheritance promised to us.

       God’s dwelling.

       That’s where we’re at.

       That’s who we are.

       That’s what we’re trying to build.

       That’s who we’re trying to be.






-------------------

Enjoy the journey . . .

13 December 2014

Rejoice!



Homily for the 3rd Sunday of Advent
14 December 2014

I invite all Christians, everywhere, at this very moment, to a renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ, or at least an openness to letting him encounter them; I ask all of you to do this unfailingly each day. No one should think that this invitation is not meant for him or her, since “no one is excluded from the joy brought by the Lord”. . . . Joy adapts and changes, but it always endures, even as a flicker of light born of our personal certainty that, when everything is said and done, we are infinitely loved. (EG 3, 6)
      
       These words of Pope Francis from his Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium, reflect what we’re doing here, right here, right now: We’re (hopefully) renewing our personal encounter and relationship with Jesus Christ; we’re (hopefully) renewing that joy which “adapts and changes,” but which “always endures.”

        As Christians, we are people of joy.

        As Christians, we rejoice for the marvels that God has done.

        This Third Sunday of Advent has “rejoice” written all over it: the lighting of the rose-colored candle and the wearing of the rose-colored vestments; the decorations of the church taking away the starkness that was there at the beginning of the season and now beginning to reflect the celebration of to come; and, in our First and Second Readings today, we literally hear the word proclaimed to us.

        We are a people of joy!, and we are called to rejoice always.

        But we can’t rejoice if we refuse to let the joy of an encounter and relationship of Jesus Christ fill us and guide us through this life.

        Pope Francis reminds us:
  
The great danger in today’s world, pervaded as it is by consumerism, is the desolation and anguish born of a complacent yet covetous heart, the feverish pursuit of frivolous pleasures, and a blunted conscience. Whenever our interior life becomes caught up in its own interests and concerns, there is no longer room for others, no place for the poor. God’s voice is no longer heard, the quiet joy of his love is no longer felt, and the desire to do good fades. This is a very real danger for believers too. Many fall prey to it, and end up resentful, angry and listless. That is no way to live a dignified and fulfilled life; it is not God’s will for us, nor is it the life in the Spirit which has its source in the heart of the risen Christ. (EG 2)

        Are you overwhelmed by the season? Too many cookies to bake? Too many presents to wrap? Too many Christmas parties? Trying to find the perfect tree? Trying to find the perfect gift? Can’t get those Christmas cards out in time? Frustrated at all the people who can’t drive on the roads?

        Then you and I are most likely not sitting in joyful, quiet stillness that this season is supposed to – and does! – offer.

        Just as John the Baptist announced the coming of the Christ, so, too, must we, by our example and witness, announce the Good News that our God has come to dwell with and redeem His people.

        In fact, we rejoice in this fact.

        I rejoice heartily in the LORD, in my God is the joy of my soul. – My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Savior… – Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks . . . Do not quench the Spirit.

        The joy we are to possess as followers of Christ is a joy that which is the remedy for “the desolation and anguish born of a complacent yet covetous heart, the feverish pursuit of frivolous pleasures, and [the] blunted conscience” our society bombards us with on a consistent basis.

        If we are rejoicing in all the externals of the season – the gifts, the tree, the parties – then we are not rejoicing for the internal reason that our God has come to Earth and is coming again. If we are overwhelmed by the “stuff that needs to be done” to celebrate Christmas, then we’re not allowing ourselves to know the joy and peace that that encounter and relationship with Jesus Christ is supposed to foster within us.

        The joy of the Christian is to recognize that, at the very core of our being, “we are infinitely loved.” Yes, the joy we are possess will have to adapt and change as our lives adapts and changes to the world around us.

        But we are never to lose our sense of joy.

        We are never to abandon our relationship with Jesus Christ.

        In fact, our joy, which is based in our relationship with Jesus Christ, should be the primary way that we evangelize the Good News about our God dwelling among us. It is the joy of the Christian who truly lives his or her relationship with Jesus Christ that attracts others to want to know Him.

        My brothers and sisters, “rejoice always.” Allow the joy of this season of preparation permeate your heart and soul; allow the joy of this season deepen your encounters and relationship with Jesus Christ.

        Rejoice for the day of the Lord is near at hand!




---------------

Enjoy the journey . . .

07 December 2014

Kecharitoméne



Homily for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
8 December 2014

        You’re in your room.

        You’re praying, reading, or resting.

        Suddenly an angel appears.

        He doesn’t say your name.

        Rather, he calls to you by something in your ontology. (That is, something that is within the nature of one’s being.)

        He calls you, “kecharitoméne” – “full of grace”.

        This clue of Mary’s ontological state, – who she was at the very core of her being – this being “full of grace”, is not the only thing that Gabriel was acknowledging. Being “full of grace” led him to celebrate Mary’s vocation, as well as to celebrate the ability of the Mystery of the Incarnation to take place with her “yes”.

        Kecharitoméne – “full of grace”: This is what we celebrate here today. It is the very reason that this day is so important. From the very moment of her conception, our Blessed Mother was immaculate, full of grace. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI reminds us that the title “full of grace” is the most beautiful name of Mary, the one that God Himself gave her, to indicate that she has always been and will always be the beloved, elected, the one chosen to welcome the most precious gift, Jesus, ‘love incarnate of God’ (Deus Caritas East, 12).”

        And yet, Saint Paul uses that same word, kecharitoméne, in his letter to the Ephesians, which we have just heard. In the verb form, the Apostle reminds us that we, too, have the same vocation as Mary, to welcome the most precious gift, Jesus, ‘love incarnate of God’” and bear Him into the world through our discipleship; that we have been chosen from "before the foundation of the world" to carry out this mission.

        Though not conceived immaculately, we are called to ultimately share in the same fullness of grace and joy as Mary did and does. This gift of grace which God bestows upon us is that same grace that the Blessed Mother received in abundance and fullness at the moment of her conception. Pope Saint John Paul II reminds us: The Church's faith and the experience of the saints teach us that grace is a source of joy, and that true joy comes from God. In Mary, as in Christians, the divine gift produces deep joy.

        My brothers and sisters, through our baptism, our vocation is to be kecharitoméne; our common calling through our Christian discipleship is to be full of grace. This is the spiritual reality of the ontological change you and I received at baptism – that at the very core of who we are, we would be open to receive the grace of God in our lives. Mary, then, is the prime example of how we are to live in response to this change in our ontology. In her being “full of grace,” Mary teaches us how to respond to the call of God: with joy, with fidelity, with love.

        In celebrating this great Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we begin to understand our calling to be “full of grace”; we again cry out to the Father to allow us to be kecharitoméne as we struggle and strive to follow His Son through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We celebrate this great Mystery of our Faith so that we may one day, God willing, join our Blessed Mother in that place in which dwells the fullness of grace and joy. We celebrate this day that, just like Mary, our God calls us by a new name – a name to which we must respond to through the gift of His grace, just as our Blessed Mother did.

        It would be wise to remember the words of Pope Francis spoken one year ago today:

The mystery of this girl from Nazareth, who is in the heart of God, is not estranged from us. She is not there and we over here. No, we are connected. Indeed, God rests his loving gaze on every man and every woman! By name and surname. His gaze of love is on every one of us. The Apostle Paul states that God “chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him” (Eph 1:4). We too, from all time, were chosen by God to live a holy life, free of sin. It is a plan of love that God renews every time we come to him, especially through the Sacraments.

On this Solemnity, then, by contemplating our beautiful Immaculate Mother, let us also recognize our truest destiny, our deepest vocation: to be loved, to be transformed by love, to be transformed by the beauty of God. Let us look to her, our Mother, and allow her to look upon us, for she is our mother and she loves us so much; let us allow ourselves to be watched over by her so that we may learn how to be more humble, and also more courageous in following the Word of God; to welcome the tender embrace of her Son Jesus, an embrace that gives us life, hope and peace.

        May God continue to gift us the ability to be kecharitoméne.




--------------------

Enjoy the journey . . .

Litany of Deliverance

The following is a prayer I heard on a CD a number of years ago. (Listen to it here.) We used it once or twice while I was in college for our Reconciliation Services, and I never really have forgotten it.

It's been on my mind recently, and seems rather appropriate for not only Advent, but also with all the unrest we have seen across the country recently.

I have found it useful as an examination of conscience, as well. - Taking the phrases line by line, and seeing where I am in all of that. Perhaps that will work for you, as well.

---------------------



Litany of Deliverance
Text by Rory Cooney

Response following each phrase:
                                                Deliver us, O God.

From fear and isolation, . . .
From clutching our resentments, . . .
From all desire for vengeance, . . .
Listen to your people! . . .

From all the gods of falsehood, . . .
From all unholy spirits, . . .
From every false messiah, . . .
Listen to your people! . . .

From fear that turns to hatred, . . .
From apathy and boredom, . . .
From slavery and addiction, . . .
Listen to your people! . . .

From trusting in our money, . . .
From trusting in our power, . . .
From counterfeits of true love, . . .
Listen to your people! . . .

From memories of old habits, . . .
From life without a future, . . .
From darkness everlasting, . . .
Listen to your people! . . .

From blindness to our neighbor, . . .
From ignorance and darkness, . . .
From child abuse and incest, . . .
Listen to your people! . . .

From choices that destroy us, . . .
From choices we’re afraid of, . . .
From every sin and evil, . . .
Listen to your people! . . .

Lead us to living waters, . . .
From trial in the desert, . . .
Let nothing stop our journey, . . .
Listen to your people!, . . .

Bring vision to our blindness, . . .
Teach us to see as you see, . . .
Be light along our journey, . . .
Listen to your people! . . .

Be breath to lifeless people, . . .
Be blood, and flesh, and spirit, . . .
From all that holds us hostage, . . .
Listen to your people! . . .



-------------------

Enjoy the journey . . .