A Prayer on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord

 

“Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him.” Matthew 3.13

In the baptism of Jesus, we come to see the gift of being called in love. Called in love to be who God created us to be and to live our lives with conviction.

God,

you who are the source of all life 

in your Son Jesus 

we come to know life,

we come to know love, 

we come to know you.

In our baptism

We put on your Son,

we embrace his life,

we embrace how he loved,

we embrace how you love us.

By the pouring out

of your Spirit and of water

we rise up in splendour,

we become heralds of good news,

we reflect you into the world.

Guide our steps

in the seasons of this year as

we desire to be life-giving,

we desire to grow well,

we desire to be one with you.

Bles us, we pray,

for we trust in your grace and mercy

today, tomorrow and always.

Amen. 

Photo Credit: Dilip Poddar

The Light of Epiphany

Have you ever noticed how much light is incorporated into music, poetry, seasons, and decorations?

Not only Christmas carols and songs incorporate the theme of light, everything from hymns, country to rock to rap include its qualities. There is something about light which we connect with and seem to understand. 

Poetry uses light to draw us in and speak to our journey. Creating images and rhymes which stir our heart and give us hope.

The seasons in their ever-changing ways draw us into light, whether it is sunrises early in summer or late in winter, or the way the light strikes a field, or the varying colors of light which fill the spring.

And decorations for all holidays include light. Not only Christmas lights and stars, but garden lights for summer, fire works for July 1st, jack-o-lanterns at Halloween and light up Easter eggs.

We need light!!! 

Pope Leo is his address for World Day of Peace just a mere four days ago, said: “The contrast between darkness and light is not only a biblical image describing the labor pains of a new world being born; it is also an experience that unsettles us and affects us amid the trials we face in our historical circumstances. In order to overcome the darkness, it is necessary to see the light and believe in it.” He added, “This is a call that Jesus’ disciples are invited to live in a unique and privileged way; yet it also finds its way into every human heart.” (how beautiful and powerful is his simple statement)

No wonder in the coming of God to earth in the birth of his son Jesus, the star gets a proper place of mention and its gifts called forth to shine, to lead, to point the way! Light calls us to life, to the ways of life, to encountering the Author of Life, who also shaped the stars. The scriptures we have heard today speak of light, because they are pointing to Jesus – the child born for us, to fill us with light and to be heralds of his light. As Pope Leo reminded us in overcoming darkness, we must “see light and believe in it.” Our Light is Jesus and we are his disciples shining for him.

Just like the magi of long ago, we too must follow the light of Jesus and then when we encounter it in moments grand and moments ordinary, we must declare what we see in the light and live in it. This is how we are disciples, to be bearers of light. To preach the gospel with our lives, to find ways to instill light in the darkness which our humanity often chooses to dwell in. To be like the nations coming to his light and the kings to his brightness, which the prophet Isaiah prophesized, we must continue to seek his star, to see his light in our living.

To see and be radiant, could be considered part of the description of being a disciple. The magi could be considered among the first disciples of Jesus. They encountered him at his most vulnerable moment in life and yet believed he was the Messiah. They offered him their gifts, their lives transformed and then returned to their homes transformed and living in his light. Is this not what this feast of Epiphany calls us to? To meet Jesus, see Jesus, encounter his light, let it transform us and then live from this transformed state as a disciple of his. St. Paul in his letter to the Philippians reminds us: “(Do everything without grumbling or arguing) you will shine… like the stars in the sky as you hold firm to the word of life.” (Philippians 2.14-15)

The Word of life, born in Bethlehem centuries ago and yet we still adore him.

The light of Jesus, shining into our life and we go forth carrying this light.

The child of Bethlehem, unknown to many and yet he is our light in the darkness.

The Author of life, born among us and for us and leading us home by his light.

May we arise and shine like the stars, for our light has come and is woven into our every heartbeat. May we be brave enough to travel unknown roads this year which lead us to Jesus in new ways so we will go forth on new paths to manifest his light. Jesus, the Light of lights is guiding us always in all ways from here to his kingdom home.

One of my favorite Christmas songs is Winter Star by Johnny Reid, it is a beautiful song for Epiphany. I invite you to listen to it this week.

Epiphany Blessings!

Photo Credit: Mitchell Luo

A Prayer for Year End - Year Beginning

Creator God,

You who created time and know time,

as one year ends and new one begins

we come to you with praise and petition.

We praise you for your unending love,

even when we don’t see it well.

We praise you for your creation,

how it invites us to wonder and awe.

We praise you for bonds we share,

which reminds us of the need for connection.

We praise you for blessings great and small,

may we not lose sight of all we truly have.

We pray for our world hurt and broken,

heal our greedy and selfish hearts.

We pray for those who are suffering,

teach us to be your hands and heart.

We pray for the children of the world,

may they know hope and joy.

We pray for peace in countries and hearts,

help us to build a culture of life together.

As we bid farewell to this year,

we do so with gratitude for gifts and blessings,

we enjoyed and delighted in through the seasons.

We do so seeking mercy and forgiveness

for the times we did not live well.

We do so holding memories

of moments which shaped us along the way.

We do so with hope

which was our companion and still accompanies us.

As we look ahead to the new year

we do so trusting you are the way, the truth and the life.

We do so asking for your light

to guide our steps and brighten our ways.

We do so with eagerness

beginning again each day.

We do so with kindness

may we build your kingdom well this year.

We ask you hear our end of year and year beginning prayer

for you are our hope, our love, our life, our source,

now and forever. 

Amen.

Credit: Jon Tyson

Christmas Blessings

Rejoicing in the

joy of Christmas

with St. Francis of Assisi,

may hope 

guide your steps,

may peace 

fill your home,

may joy meet 

you on the journey,

may love

fill your heart.

Merry Christmas!

Original Artwork: 

By Ceci used with permission 

What Are We To Do?

When Advent days 

have slipped away

and the Great Feast 

is on the horizon

and there is still 

more prayers to pray,

more waiting to do,

more words to ponder,

what are we to do O Lord?

When Advent days 

have become chaotic

and there is still a longing

to be patient,

to simply be,

to fast from the indulging,

what are we to do O Lord?

When Advent days

have not been filled with

as much giving from the heart,

depth of prayer,

and generosity of spirit,

what are we to do O Lord?

O Lord, you invite us to remember

in this season 

you have been whispering to us

peace and hope,

a deeper joy, 

and now your assuring love.

O Lord, you invite us to remember

your light still comes

among it all, 

both done and undone,

and increases the light

of our daily living.

Still, what are we to do O Lord?

You invite us, O Lord, to trust

and with the choirs of angels

to raise our voices

with confidence to declare:

O Come, Emmanuel

dwell in our hearts!

And our hearts can whisper: 

Rejoice! Rejoice for the time is near!

Photo Credit: Ricky LK

Advent a Time to Hear and See

What do you hear and see?

In this Advent Season our senses are often overwhelmed with much goodness. In this goodness what do we hear and see? Do we see the blind receiving site? Do we see the lame walking? Do we see lepers cleansed? Do we hear the deaf speaking? Do we see the dead regaining life? Do we see the poor receiving good news? 

It is in our “actions and words” these truths come to light. However, this common phrase of “actions and words” is now stack up with other common phrase “love it” and we lose sight of everyday miracles. Yet the truth is it is in our actions and words which transform and bring hope and joy. Everyday miracles which are the base of common joy.  

What have I heard and seen to prove this?

I have seen a heart blinded by hurt seek healing. 

I have seen the burden of uncertainty lifted from someone who now is no longer lamed. 

I have seen how forgiveness and reconciliation have cleansed the leprosy of my own life. 

I have heard the laughter of a brother and the giggle of a child deafness vanished.

I have seen the death of addictions dissolved from lives and new life gained. 

I have heard the gratitude of the poor who have received hope and dignity. 

Where you may ask? 

In individuals, in families, in communities, in neighbours, in parishes, in our country. 

As our common humanity continues to be torn apart by hour increasing greed, false fears, and gullible lies how are we being heralds of hope and bearers of joy? What do we hear and see? Do you hear what I hear? Do you see what I see?

Each new day is the chance to live the gospel and see the power of its goodness, hope and joy take root. We are messengers sent. Advent is the start of the living out the gospel for the whole year. 

Let us go forth boldly.

This reflection is inspired by: Matthew 11.2-11

Photo Credit: Edi Libedinsky

 

Prepare

A voice cries out:

Prepare!

And we say:

There is another party to attend!

A voice cries out:

Prepare!

And we say:

There are more cookies to bake!

A voice cries out:

Prepare!

And we say:

There is more shopping to do!

A voice cries out:

Prepare!

And we say:

For what?

A voice cries out:

Prepare the way of the Lord.

And we say?

 

Let us be brave in this Second Week of Advent 

to prepare our hearts matching the preparations 

of our homes and celebrations.

Come, O Come Emmanuel, 

let us not lose sight of you!

Photo Credit: Markus Spiske