Christmas: The Babe from Bethlehem

The Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. 

- John 1:14

The Christmas Crèche was introduced to the world by St. Francis of Assisi. It is a great symbol of the Christmas Season and one that should draw us in each year to ponder and reflect.

The story of the first Christmas Crèche is a story written by Br. Thomas of Celano. It is known as Christmas at Greccio. Br. Thomas writes, “Burning with excessive love, Francis often calls Christ the “babe from Bethlehem” when he means to call him Jesus. He seems to lick his lips whenever he uses the expressions “Jesus” or “babe from Bethlehem,” tasting the word on his happy palate and savoring the sweetness of the word.”  (The Life of St. Francis by Thomas of Celano)

May we, filled with love and hope, join with St. Francis this Christmas and all through the New Year in declaring Christ – the Babe from Bethlehem among us.

The Babe from Bethlehem

The Babe from Bethlehem who

Born in a stable,

Became a refugee,

Trusted in his parent’s love,

Grew in wisdom and stature,

Went about his Father’s business.

The Babe from Bethlehem who would (grow up to)

Face temptations,

Show compassion to the sick,

Embrace a child,

Call men and women to life,

Empower many with hope.

The Babe from Bethlehem who would

Gather at table with friends,

Leave a lasting memorial,

Face ridicule, insults and beatings,

Bear the weight of a cross,

Give his all out of love.

The Babe from Bethlehem who would

Destroy death and sin,

Bring new life to all creation,

Breathe his spirit into us,

Fill us with grace upon grace,

Draw people and nations to himself.

The Babe from Bethlehem who would

Move generation after generation,

Transform reality,

Establish the kingdom of God,

Live and move and breathe through countless saints,

Form the law of love.

The Babe from Bethlehem who would

Encompass the heart of Francis,

Challenge the way of life of Francis,

Rebuild the Church through Francis,

Be made known in the rule of Francis,

Be sweetness and fullness of living for Francis.

The Babe from Bethlehem who still today is

Present among us always,

Brought to birth by our actions and words,

Cause for our hope and joy,

Nourishment for our journey,

Our way, our truth, our life.

The Babe from Bethlehem… Jesus… our Brother and Savior.

And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age. 

– Matthew 28. 20

May we be crib dwellers this holy season and may we carry the Babe from Bethlehem with us into our daily living.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Advent 4: Gathered At Table

As Advent very quickly slips into Christmas the thought of gathering at table has been on my mind. I’m sure over the past month we have all gathered at several tables of all shapes and sizes to celebrate the season and will continue to do so over the weeks ahead. The idea of sitting at table came to mind as I thought of people and places that will not know the joy of Christmas this year. It also settled deep in my heart this week as I heard news of the sudden death of my cousin Bradley. Bradley’s death reminded me the importance of gathering at table, cherishing conversations, going beyond our comfort zones, celebrating life and being aware that we are bearers of light. Bradley will be missed by many people however his kindness, his laughter and his joy will linger and remind me that Christ is with us in our sorrows, in our joys, in what seems like darkness and what is His light. I am grateful for the gift of Bradley’s life and the invitation to the Table of Life that he now enjoys in fullness. My attention is again drawn to the festive tables both you and I will gather at in the days to come.

As we gather to feast and celebrate the Christ Child, I want to draw your attention to the empty chair at the table. It’s there, can you see it? Not the one left to the side but rather the one right there next to our loved one, or neighbour or relative. Take a look at that chair and see it not as empty rather as a reminder that our feast is incomplete. Take a look at that chair and see it not as empty rather as an invitation. Take a look at that chair and see it not as empty rather as a conversation waiting to lead us into the New Year.

The chair is not empty, and several cultures traditionally leave a chair and place setting empty at the Christmas Feast to remind them of the Christ Child among us.

So do not see that chair as empty rather see someone sitting there that will not have a feast to share in reminding us our feast is incomplete. Is that a family from the Holy Land? Is that a family from the fire wiped out parts of California? Is that a family from the Hurricane ravaged parts of our world?

Or maybe see someone whose feasting is now a reward. Is it a loved one who has died and we miss? Or is it someone who died from senseless violence? Maybe it is someone who was killed in a tragedy this past year (the train derailment, school bus and tourist bus crash, ferry sinking of recent weeks come to mind)?

The chair is not empty, and several cultures traditionally leave a chair and place setting empty at the Christmas Feast to remind them of the Christ Child among us.

So do not see the chair as empty rather see someone who needs an invitation to join in the feast. Is that a family dealing with trauma? Is that a family in sorrow? Is that a refugee new to our country? Is that brother or sister from another religion who has faced persecution and hatred?

Or maybe it is someone from that list of ours. That neighbour we have been avoiding? That friend whom we last spoke angry words to? That relative who has been on the fringes?

The chair is not empty, and several cultures traditionally leave a chair and place setting empty at the Christmas Feast to remind them of the Christ Child among us.

So do not see the chair as empty rather see someone who is inviting us to conversation. Is that the young Mexican journalist killed at his child’s Christmas concert and we discuss freedom of speech and persecution? Is it a child from Myanmar and we discuss safety and human rights? Is it a teenager from Syria and we discuss power and powerlessness?

Or maybe it is a conversation that we dance around and it’s time to make it concrete. Is it about how we as a family will reach out to our community and our global family? Is it about organ donation? Is it about gratitude and how we can show it more? Is it about living with less and being more aware of our choices?

I will sit at several tables over the next few weeks and I will enjoy good food and good people and I hope I will see that empty chair and see the Babe from Bethlehem there among us. The Babe from Bethlehem who reminds us that he is indeed among us always and that the chair is not empty. The choice is mine. The choice is yours. Do we choose Christ as Advent ends, as Christmas draws near and the New Year dawns? Who will sit at our table this Christmas time?

Christ Child Come,

Oh Babe from Bethlehem Come

Dwell among us and sit among us.

Lead us to your crib,

May we courageous take you in our arms,

Receive you humbly and gratefully,

Carry your cross with hope, with peace and with joy.

Come to our feast O Child of God,

for we know that we are always welcome at Your Feast,

Come O Come Emmanuel, do not delay.

Advent 3: Encountering Family

This is Joseph.

We see him each day down the street, across the riser, trudging home from a shift, making schedules work, worn hands and deep eyes.

I encountered him the other day at an appointment. He obviously straight from the site, his little one held close, fitting in a doctor’s appointment for his child, being dad, being brave, being strong.

This is Joseph, the man Jesus called dad. A man who calls us to trust, to be present, to be brave and to be strong.

Where have you encountered Joseph this Advent? Are you on the lookout for him this week?

This is Mary.

We see her each day crossing the street, in the school parking lot, behind the grocery counter, making schedules work, tender hands and deep eyes.

I encountered her the other day, fairly new to this country, learning new roles and responsibilities. Doing the best for her family so they can simply live, being mom, being brave, being strong.

This is Mary, the woman Jesus called mom. A woman who calls us to be open, to give our all, to be brave and to be strong.

Where have you encountered Mary this Advent? Are you on the lookout for her this week?

This is Jesus.

We see him each day on the news, in the paper, in our neighborhoods, on the playground. He is the face of the child encountering war, facing famine, seeking shelter, left abandoned.

I encountered him the other day, his eyes piercing back from a newsfeed, not lost in the chaos around him rather he looked hopeful, he seemed to be asking, “Can you carry me?” “Can you take me in your arms?” “Can you find my manger in your community?” He simply was being child, being brave, being strong.

This is Jesus, the child who taught us to call God “Abba”. The child who calls us to trust, to be open, to be brave and to be strong.

Where have you encountered the Christ Child this Advent? Are you on the lookout for him this week?

This is Jesus, Mary and Joseph.

Your family, my family, their family, our family, the holy family.

We see them each day in our churches, running errands, at the store, across the street, peering back from the paper, seeking peace, starting anew, looking for answers, striving for freedom, trying to be family.

Where do we encounter the Holy Family?

The image above is where this reflection all began for me a few weeks ago. I saw this family and I saw Jesus, Mary and Joseph, and so many families of the world both near and far. I asked myself where and when have I encountered you? When have I welcomed you? When have I been able to give you shelter? When have I acknowledged that you are holy?

I must be brave, I must be strong for the Spirit of the Lord calls me, calls us all to be bearers of good news, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty and to exult God (Isaiah 61. 1-2, 10-11).

In these days leading up to Christmas, in our busyness and full schedules where can we live out the call of the prophet Isaiah? How can we do this? Will the mangers of our hearts and homes be ready to welcome the Holy Family? Are we brave enough and courageous enough?

Let us prepare our hearts,

let us be people of faith,

let us truly look and not glance away,

let us gaze upon and enter into

their story and our story,

not quenching the Spirit,

rather rejoicing always (1 Thess. 5. 16-24)

in the gift of being child,

being spouse, parent, sibling,

being family in God.

May we encounter Emmanuel not only in these final days of Advent and at Christmas time but in the all the moments of our lives.

Blessings to you in these final days of Advent.

 

Advent 2: God's Steadfast Love

Show us your steadfast love, O Lord, grant us your salvation. – Psalm 85

Where is God’s love shown to us?

I ponder this as we move into Advent Week 2. I know and believe that God’s love is shown forth to us each day in small ways and grand ways. From a kind word, to a sunrise, to an anonymous outreach of compassion, to the rhythm of prayer and so on these all speak of God’s steadfast love. For God’s everlasting, permanent love is infused in our lives regardless if we notice it or not. Being a child of God means that I am open to experiencing this love when my days are beautiful and smooth and when my days are broken and rough. God’s love penetrates my day and life, regardless of how I feel, where I am or what I am doing. Thank goodness for that for this is a taste of salvation; this opens me up to the kingdom of peace and justice. This is God’s goodness poured into my life even when I may be blinded to it. This is the peace that is offered to me when my heart is restless and also when it is in tune. This is the kingdom I belong to and yet yearn for and the one I am called to build.

                God’s steadfast love is just that constant and always. In this season of preparation, of joyful expectation, of hope – when our world fill us with demands and pressures, provides us with illusions and tells us “you need this or must give this” – this season of Advent reminds us that God’s love breaks through it all. Advent calls us back to the message of the gospels: “I am with you always!” because our God’s love is constant, true and steadfast. Advent call us to open our hearts to the redemption that is always ours; that was made known to us through a young woman’s willingness to say “yes” and then her child who laid in a manger.

God’s steadfast love

was present when the earth began to breath.

God’s steadfast love is present still in each of us,

it is the gift of peace.

God’s steadfast love

was proclaimed in ages past by prophets and by kings.

God’s steadfast love is still acclaimed,

a message that will not cease.

               

God’s steadfast love

was desired by nations small and great,

God’s steadfast love they tried to conquer

how foolish of a way to reason.

God’s steadfast love

would not be restricted or tethered down it seems.

God’s steadfast love is always love,

not matter if we leave it battered, bruised or beaten.

God’s steadfast love

was heralded as coming nigh.

God’s steadfast love among us here,

for us, for you, for me?

God’s steadfast love

freedom that is the way of life.

God’s steadfast love is healing us,

the grace designed to be.

God’s steadfast love

the plan unfolds to reveal God’s very Son.

God’s steadfast love a woman’s “yes”, a child’s birth,

love revealed without decay.

God’s steadfast love

beyond the walls and barriers we still create.

God’s steadfast love a constant path,

that leads us on God’s way.

God’s steadfast love

has come to us with open hands and heart.

God’s steadfast love made for us,

no need to turn or run.

God’s steadfast love

dwells in us and lives among us.

God’s steadfast love calls each of us

to be a tabernacle for God’s Son.

God’s steadfast love

the guiding light to fill our Advent days.

God’s steadfast love is our hope,

for God’s faithfulness is always true.

God’s steadfast love

is always, constant, and forever.

God’s steadfast love for each of us,

for them, for us, for me, for you.

Come Lord do not delay!

May your steadfast love be light for our Advent days.

Blessings on your Advent Week.

Advent 1: Keep Awake

“And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.” – Mark 13.37

Keep Awake is the appeal of Advent.

Keep awake my heart

so I may be and share love.

Keep awake my eyes

so I may see God among us.

Keep awake my ears

so I may hear the cry of the poor.

Keep awake my mouth

so I may raise my voice in praise.

Keep awake my hands

so I may do what is mine to do.

Keep awake my feet

so I may go where God needs me.

Keep awake my life

so I may encounter Emmanuel.

Keep awake in the Advent journey

and grasp how Emmanuel is calling

my life to be transformed this season.

Keep awake and be on guard

to choose life-giving, soul-stirring,
purposeful actions in this season
of joy, hope, peace and love.

Keep Awake!

Blessings on the Advent journey!

The Friendly Giant and Christ the King

When I was a child one of my favorite television shows was The Friendly Giant. I loved how the Friendly Giant no matter how enormous he was always made time for those who were lesser than he. I loved how he arranged the chairs by the fire place, talked with guests, enjoyed a tune or two and always had solid advice and a compassionate way to deliver it. I always looked at the Friendly Giant as a king, probably because he lived in a castle. However I also remember thinking if I was ever king (because at that age I thought that it could be a possible career option – well maybe I thought that for a while) I would like to be like the Friendly Giant.

I have been thinking about The Friendly Giant this week as we celebrate Christ the King. I see the virtues, the characteristics, the life-giving qualities of our Lord and King Jesus in the simple images of this childhood show. I wonder how often I forget that being a kingdom dweller in the reign of Christ the King means I need to arrange the chairs to be a place of welcome, spend time to listen to others stories of the sick and imprisoned, sing a song of praise to our God, and share the gospel through living it with compassion and not mere words. Yes, where do I build the kingdom of my King? Where do I give food to the hungry, drink to the thirsty, welcome the stranger, cloth the naked, visit the sick or the imprisoned? For the least of these are very much a part of the kingdom of God – it really is quite simple and yet I find excuses, reasons, ways not to live the gospel of Christ my King and to heed the simple wisdom I found in the Friendly Giant.

Christ my King,

for the times I fail to build your Kingdom.

Lord have mercy.

Christ my King

for the times I forget about my brothers and sisters.

Christ have mercy.

Christ my King

for the times I miss seeing you in my every day.

Lord have mercy.

The challenge and gift of Christ the King is to build the kingdom for all to be welcome. Where can you and I do just that this week no matter if we are a giant or the least among us?

Christ the King where do reign?

In my heart yes I know

which is the call for me to show

your love to our hurting world.

Christ the King where do reign?

In our world I know it’s true

when each of us does right by you

we build the kingdom piece by piece.

Christ the King where do reign?

In the mighty and the strong

when they rise up like the dawn

to help the lowly and the least.

Christ the King where do reign?

In the lowly and the poor

who don’t have any more

but their generous and hopeful trust.

Christ the King where do you reign?

Here, there and every where

for your love and mercy can always bear

even when God’s children fail to build your kingdom here.

Christ the King where do you reign?

I know where, I know it’s true

please help me see what there is to do

and the courage and strength to build with you.

World Day of the Poor: The Challenge of Relationship

November 19 (The Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time) is World Day of the Poor.

Pope Francis challenges us: “This new World Day, therefore, should become a powerful appeal to our consciences as believers, allowing us to grow in the conviction that sharing with the poor enables us to understand the deepest truth of the Gospel.  The poor are not a problem: they are a resource from which to draw as we strive to accept and practice in our lives the essence of the Gospel.”

Poverty is something I have never experienced. I have never been homeless, I have never not had enough food or drink, I have never not been able to find work or pay bills. I have never faced an addiction that has left me debilitated or unable to function.

The vow of poverty or ‘nothing of my own’ that I take as Friar is not the same as being poor, rather it is about sharing everything in common. As religious we do not claim private ownership, everything we own is used for the good of our community so that we can focus on our charism and ministry as Franciscans.   

So when I read that Pope Francis has declared an annual World Day of the Poor it makes me ponder all that my life has been, my life as Friar and my life a Christian. It challenges me to look at my life and causes me to ask if donating my used clothes, volunteering every so often at a soup kitchen and giving my loose change to a charity enough? These are all good and well and indeed help the poor, but does it put me into relationship with them? Does it break down barriers of fear and ignorance? Does it help me to see them as brothers and sisters? Or does it simply allow me to stay in my comfort zone?

The poor are our brothers and sisters. St. Francis of Assisi understood this and tried to help his brothers understand this. To help others see the value and dignity that everyone has and is worthy of was the work of St. Francis. This is about relationship.

Being a Franciscan in the footsteps of St. Francis has caused me to look at my immediate relationships. How am I brother to those I live, work, minister and study with? How am I brother to family, friends, neighbours and my brothers? Upon reflecting on this I see that these relationships are mostly healthy and I am challenged to move beyond the comfort zones they provide and integrate the good, lessons learned and the gift of relationship into my interactions, serving and relationship with poor.

“We are called, then, to draw near to the poor, to encounter them, to meet their gaze, to embrace them and to let them feel the warmth of love that breaks through their solitude.  Their outstretched hand is also an invitation to step out of our certainties and comforts, and to acknowledge the value of poverty in itself,” says Pope Francis.

How do I ensure that the poor know they have value and dignity? How do I move beyond fear and ignorance to truly be brother to men and women who are trapped or forced into poverty?

The second letter to the Thessalonians says, “you are all children of light and children of the day.” I believe this statement is true for all of us no matter our status, bank accounts or where we live or what we have or what we lack. Being children of light calls us into relationship, it calls us to see Christ in each other.

How do I bear light?

How do I share my talents?

How do I build relationships with my brothers and sisters like St. Francis did?

The questions throughout this reflection swirl around in my heart and my head. They challenge me in my daily living, my life as a Friar, my life as a disciple of Christ, as Advent draws near and as I complete my degree.

As I ponder all these questions I have once again come across a prayer card I have called “The Litany of St. Francis” written by the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate.

Where the darkness of loneliness reigns

Let us bring the light of friendship.

Where the darkness of bitterness reigns

Let us bring the light of forgiveness.

Where the darkness of hurt reigns

Let us bring the light of healing.

Where the darkness of sadness reigns

Let us bring the light of joy.

Where the darkness of doubt reigns

Let us bring the light of faith.

Where the darkness of despair reigns

Let us bring the light of hope.

Where the darkness of hatred reigns

Let us bring the light of love.

This Litany is not simply words – this is the challenge of being children of light, of being light bearers, of using talents and building relationship. I need to spend more time not simply with the words but with the actions that come with these words. How about you?

Lord Jesus,

as I seek to be a bearer of light,

I trust that you are lighting my way,

challenging my heart

and opening me up on how to be in relationship

with all my brothers and sisters.

May your light so fill me

so I may truly enter into relationship

and radiate you.

Amen.

Craving God... So Be Ready

 

On this 32^nd Sunday in Ordinary Time as we move towards the end of the liturgical year we are presented with the Gospel of Matthew 25. Beginning this Sunday and for the following two Matthew 25 is the center for us to reflect on. Matthew 25 is a rich text with three scenarios for us to ponder: this Sunday with the wise and foolish bridesmaids, next week the parable of the talents and the last week the image of the sheep and the goats telling us whatsoever you do to the least. All three of these pieces of scripture challenge us to be kingdom dwellers and ask us to reflect on how we build the kingdom of God here and now, not simply hope for it as an eternal reward.

 

> God my God you I crave my soul thirsts for you like a dry and weary land.

 

            Being kingdom dwellers is not always easy, for as the gospel says: Be ready! Keep awake! For we know not the day nor the hour!

 

Let me share a story with you about being ready or at least vigilant waiting:

When were kids, we could look out our north windows and see open fields (much smaller evergreens) and when we looked out our south windows we would see the open back yards of our neighbours right to the highway. So when we knew company was coming for a visit the process was the same no matter which window we looked out, it went something like this:

If our company was Uncle John & Auntie Linda coming from the north of town, one of us would be assigned to watch out the bathroom window for lights to appear on the horizon. (If relatives from the south or west the dining room window was the perch.) When lights would appear whoever was watching would shout, “I think they are coming!” and we would watch and wait for updates: “They are closer, they are closer, oh never mind, it’s not them, just another car.” “Oh wait there is another set of lights, oh they are slowing down, oh they are really slowing down, they are here! they are here!”

One of us would go and run and tell Mom and Dad with great pride, we would announce: “Uncle John and Auntie Linda are here!” As if they didn’t know already and that what somehow change that fact that they were trying to get ready themselves. We would bounce around the house, and all huddle into our narrow hallway to greet our cousins and aunt and uncle.

The waiting seemed like forever, even when we saw the car on the horizon, it seemed to creep slower to town, and from the end of our short drive way until they unloaded out of the car seemed an eternity. Oh but the endless hours of playing, of games and of food and laughter to be shared swallowed up that waiting. A foretaste, if you will, of the kingdom of heaven.

 

> God my God you I crave my soul thirsts for you like a dry and weary land.

 

To be kingdom dwellers, means to be ready and keeping awake for the Lord always. For Jesus comes to us each day and comes to us in ways we fail to see or want to see. How often can we say “He is here! He is here!” like we as children announced the arrival of our guests? The truth is in our everyday living we should indeed be able to announce he is here.

The book of Wisdom reminds us that as kingdom dwellers we are called to be wisdom seekers. For true wisdom is from God and it is radiant and never fades. If only our efforts were always radiant and never fading, however we know they are not. We know that we stumble along, or we fumble up well intentioned plans or we fail to trust in God’s wisdom. Yet our God never leaves us to stray the path alone, our God always calls us back to God’s self, calling us to be vigilant and to have extra oil to trim our lamps and be ready for our God.

 

Come Holy Wisdom

Weave your mystery and profound gifts into the fabric of our journey.

Blessed are you, gracious God, in your Holy Wisdom.

 

> God my God you I crave my soul thirsts for you like a dry and weary land.

 

In our continually striving to be kingdom dwellers and to build the kingdom, we thirst for God, yet we know God’s steadfast love, our lives are filled as a rich banquet and we know our God is our help. In being kingdom dwellers and kingdom builders we are rooted in the paschal mystery – the life, death, resurrection and ascension of Christ. The letter to the Thessalonians tells us that we know that this is not our final home for we hope in life eternal, however we must be encouragers on the path of life. We must not be like the foolish bridesmaids of the gospel and not come prepared, we must let our light shine through our good deeds which will build the kingdom here and lead to the great eternal wedding banquet. The light of our good deeds should then encourage others to ensure that their lamps are fueled and that they are ready to greet the Bridegroom.

 

Pour forth your Spirit upon us, O God

That she might be with us and work in us,

Blessed are you, gracious God, in your holy wisdom.

 

> God my God you I crave my soul thirsts for you like a dry and weary land.

 

         Building the kingdom can led us through a dry and weary land. It can be slow going and challenging, it can be like the vigilant waiting of my childhood when company was coming, it can leave us feeling empty. However in the slow going, in the challenges, in the waiting, in the what can feel like emptiness we are called to focus on and use the gift of wisdom to be prepared, to keep awake, to be ready. It’s like an emergency kit in the car, or a casserole in the freezer or an extra 5 in our wallets. We do not the hour or the time when Jesus will come and bring us all into the fullness of the heavenly banquet of life, only we can prepare ourselves and encourage others on the path.

 

Dwell deep within us, Holy Wisdom,

Enfold us in your light,

Imbue us with strength and purpose.

Above all, hold us fast,

Guide us in your ways,

Be our constant companion.

Blessed are you, gracious God, in your holy wisdom.

 

> God my God you I crave my soul thirsts for you like a dry and weary land.

 

The choice is ours. We can be the wise bridesmaids, craving our God and being prepared to greet our God.

 

The choice is ours.

How do we live?

When do we crave God? Always?  Sometimes? When convenient? When life is rough?

Are we open to God’s call in our lives?

Do we have an open heart focused on the light?

How do we ensure our lamps are trimmed and that we have extra oil?

How do we build the kingdom and be kingdom dwellers?

        By letting our light shine, by being the salt of the earth, by being the body of Christ, by being nourished by the Word and the Eucharist. God dwells among us and in us because God has given us the gift of being God’s children. With wisdom will we accept the free gift of grace and keep awake? For then in the being ready with the heart of a child, excited that the greatest gift we could ever receive is here, we can declare with joy and praise He is here!

> God my God you I crave my soul thirsts for you like a dry and weary land.





* The italicized verse are one prayer entitled Prayer for Wisdom
> The bolded refrain is a sung refrain from CBWIII - 658 
Image from: Working Preacher