Season of Love - Season of Life: The Love of Christ Risen

The Lenten Season of Love takes a dramatic shift and a new depth when from the Cross to huddling in fear, to discovering the empty tomb we meet our Risen Savior. We come to understand love in a whole new way.

Evil has not conquered.

Sin has not got the last word.

Death has lost its sting.

for

Love is stronger than death.

Love lives and breathes and moves.

Love is our life in the Risen Lord.

This Lenten journey as a Season of Love began with the thought “May God open your heart even more to what God has in store for you.” Those words echo true now again: Lent behind us, on the threshold of the Resurrection and into the joy-filled season of Easter. Over Lent our hearts have been opened, God has spoken to us and God continues to have more in store for us.

As I reflect on my own Lenten journey I know God has spoken to me and shown me glimpses of what is in store through times of prayer, the wisdom of guides, in the quiet, through friends, in my longings, in reconciliation, in deep breaths while trying to live the gospel, with scripture, in the Eucharist. Each time God has spoken to me God’s underlining message has been, “I love you, no matter what!” It is here that I am taken aback and marvel at the sweetness of these words. It is amazing to me how these words, how “I love you” calls me to life and to love and to the gift of the Resurrection.

It is here, now in these Easter moments that love propels us forward into life as people of the Resurrection. The Lenten Season of Love takes us beyond words, beyond actions, beyond fasting and almsgiving, beyond our longings and puts us in direct contact with love – with love himself – Jesus our Risen Lord. Jesus – our brother who died, whose death on a cross brings us into the fullness of God’s love. God’s love for each one of us, no matter what, no matter who, no matter where for God’s love claims us through the cross and embraces us in Easter light. Love is our way – which is not always easy, yet we love because we are loved, love that defeated death and love that settles deep in our heart and stirs within us, causing us to cry out: Alleluia!

In reflecting upon Lent: The Season of Love, I offer 

The Love of Christ Risen Litany

When love feels strained and rigid,

When faith seems static, even dry,

When hope is caught up in falseness,

Christ Risen says: I Love You.

When prayer is nothing but lost for words,

When relationships sour with pride,

When leadership continues to fail,

Christ Risen says: I Love You.

When darkness suffocates the light,

When thriving in life is the farthest thing possible,

When being an ambassador breaks us,

Christ Risen says: I Love You.

When newness is buried deep,

When knowing our belovedness seems impossible,

When brotherly support is struggling,

Christ Risen says: I Love You.

When giving of our all leaves us life-less,

When the heart is impacted by wounds,

When ‘cost’ of living is forgotten,

Christ Risen says: I Love You.

When friends betray us,

When family is challenge,

When time is filled up and there is more to do and be,

Christ Risen says: I Love You.

When strength is not in grasp,

When a broken heart is all that we have,

When the cross is too heavy to bear,

Christ Risen says: I Love You.

When the tomb closes in around us,

When fear consumes us,

When the stone at the tomb is sealed,

Christ Risen says: I Love You.

When the tomb is empty and we are in disbelief,

When we met the gardener and ask questions,

When we realize who it is who lives,

Christ Risen says: I Love You.

We rejoice and in turn say:

Alleluia! Christ Risen, I Love You! Alleluia!

Blessings to fill your Easter time 

– A whole new Season of Love!

Joy is the echo of God’s life in us. – Abbot Marmion

Holy Week: The Season of Love

This Lenten Season of Love has been pushing us forward to this gateway, to the gateway of Holy Week. We must now push open these doors and enter in.

We enter into a week that speaks of love, love shared, love tested, love given, love lived and love as way of life. This love we speak of is a love that is beyond heart shaped candy, flowers given or the ‘just right’ gift. This love is about deep listening, it is about compassion, it is about hope, it is about sacrifice.

In this Holy Week we are called to go into the depths of the heart and look at love...

From the heart of a mother who watches as her son is robbed of his life,

From the heart of friends who are confused and lost in fear,

From the heart of those on the sidelines looking on wondering, struggling, full of doubt,

From the heart of a passerby called into action,

From the heart of a thief whose final moments of life are given dignity,

From the heart of an official whose life is changed because of love outpoured,

From our own heart, wherever we are on this journey

       – with our own concerns, doubts, fears, hopes and crosses to carry,

From the heart of Christ, whose heart only knows love and how to give of it all...

who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death— even death on a cross. 

-    Philippians 2.6-11

Holy Week gives us so much to ponder and reflect on. Can we take the time to go deep into our heart and enter into this transforming love? Can we allow this journey we have been on in this Season of Love to draw us deeply into this Week of weeks? The choice is ours... our Savior is already here waiting for us at the gateway... are we ready?

We adore You, Lord Jesus Christ and we bless You because by You holy cross You have redeemed the world and shown us that every season is a Season of Love.

Blessings on your Holy Week.

Lent: The Season of Love - Openness and Gratitude

This past week I have been praying with the Gospel story about Lazarus, his death and Jesus restoring his life. The Gospel of John (11.1-45) paints a telling story about relationship, about pain, about openness and about gratitude. There is so much to ponder and reflect on in this gospel, however two lines jumped out at me and have challenged me in this Lenten Season of Love.

The first is after Jesus has met with Martha and Mary, he is greatly disturbed by their sorrow and he says, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Lord, come and see.” There it is, four simple words that have been shaping the Lenten journey.

Lord, come and see.

Come and see my living

Come and see my hurting

Come and see my sorrows.

Lord, come and see.

Come and see my family

Come and see my friends

Come and see my community.

Lord, come and see.

Come and see my comings and goings

Come and see my tomb I make

Come and see my darkness.

Lord, come and see.

Come and see my desires.

Come and see my hopes.

Come and see my faith.

Lord, come and see.

Come and see my joys.

Come and see my ponderings.

Come and see my loving.

Lord, come and see.

Come and see me so I may

Come and see you.

Come and see Lord.

These four words are an invitation to openness. The Lord calls us to life and this means opening our lives to him and inviting him into the good, the bad, the ugly, the hurting, the joys, the life-stealing and the life-giving. These four words are a call for us to trust in God’s deep love for and God’s desire for our life. It is in this that we must continually be open to Jesus and the working of his spirit. This is true openness that brings us forth from the tombs we create and hide in. This is true openness which allows us to say “Lord, come and see! Come and see it all.., here is my life.”

From openness I move to gratitude. Gratitude is good for all seasons of life and in all situations, I find it especially poignant when embraced in Lent – the Season of Love. A few lines further in this same gospel Jesus reminds us of this. “And Jesus looked upward and said, “Father, I thank you for having heard me.”” Again four simple words that have heightened my awareness of the gift of gratitude.

Father, I thank you for:

the life that you have created

the way you walk with me

the good people who stay with me

the gift of being called from the tombs over and over.

Father, I thank you for:

the insights and wisdom that openness can bring

the quiet moments when you speak to me

the vibrant moments when you remind me of your generosity

the holiness in which I am created and called to.

Father, I thank you for:

the strength that arises in times of sorrow

the deep faith which draws me to you

the beauty of creation which shows your love

the hope in which I am rooted in.

Father, I thank you for:

the courage to say, “I believe”

the ways in which you unbind me

the freedoms I have and discover

the variety of ways you call me forth.

Father, I thank you for:

the tears which express my pain and sorrow

the smiles which tells of my delights and joys

the comfort and support of those who love me

the telling of our never-ending story.

Father, I thank you for:

the life of your Son Jesus

the sharing of his Spirit

the communion to which I and all people are called.

having heard me today and always. Amen.

Openness and Gratitude, cornerstones in this deep part of the Lenten Season of Love.

Where are they in our journey this week?

PS.

In the icon above... note the facial express of Jesus and Lazarus... can you see their bond of friendship and love? Can you see the joy in them?  Can you see the greater hope to which this foretells? Can you see yourself?

Lent: The Season of Love - The Little Things

Here we are at the half way point of this Lenten Season of Love. How are we doing? How has the journey been so far? How are our Lenten goals and plans coming together? How are we doing with our relationships? How are we doing at being ambassadors? That is a lot of questions to ponder.

Lent is not necessarily easy, we all know that. I wonder how often we fail to see the little things that make the season of Lent, truly a Season of Love. It has to be more than giving things up, or doing something extra, it has to be in the ordinary, in the little things that this season transforms us and calls us to life and to love. For it is the little things that will continue past this season and leads us into all the seasons of our life. The little things, the everyday things this is what calls to us in this season. Where in the ordinariness of our lives does the season take hold and shape us into an Easter people? I truly believe it is in the little things.

Some examples from this past week, with what it “cost” each scenario.

A young dad spent the evening at home with his young daughters so his wife could go out with her mom. It cost precious moments with his daughters.

A young man commented on his supportive wife and realized how much she supports him when he doubts, he realized more deeply that he needs to acknowledge that support. It cost simple appreciation.

A brother patiently without saying anything picks up after another brother who seems not to be able to do so for himself. It cost true fraternity.

A colleague sends a text asking for prayers for a dire situation. It cost nothing more than a name added to prayer.

An uncle sends a letter to a niece, nothing extraordinary just a letter saying she is loved. It cost a moment and a stamp.

A young professional is grabbing her groceries after work, and adds a few extra items for the food bank. It cost kindness and a whole $10 from the paycheck.

An aunt sends a message to a nephew reminding him of the good work he has done. It cost a memory and moment to share.

A neighbour clears snow after a late winter snow fall. It cost exercise and fresh air.

A classmate listens to another classmate as she expresses worries about some final projects. It cost a listening ear and support.

A friend stays after an event is over and helps with clean up. It cost a few extra moments with a friend.

A grandchild calls a grandparent. It cost a filled up heart.

You see it is the little things, not the extravagant or costly. The above examples cost a whopping $10.90 and time. A huh… there it is… the key element to little things, ordinary things, daily things transformed into a season and a lifetime of love is time. God has all the time in the world for us. 

How do we tap into that time, which truly is love expressed? 

How will we spend our time this week of Lent?

It is the little things… we are created for this and strengthened by the mercy and love of our God. God so loved the world he gave his only Son, which is a lot. God is not asking that of us, yet God is asking us to share in work of the cross. 

How can we carry it this week (remove burden from the image of carrying it)? 

Can we spare a few moments of our time this week?  

Let’s not let the little things slip by leaving us hoping that we could start Lent over again, instead let us embrace the little moments that build each day.

God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved… For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.-     Ephesians 2.4, 10

Lent: The Season of Love - Called to Relationship

This past week I called my Mom and when she answered I asked her what she was doing, her response was, “I just finished hugging your brother, I had a dream he died, so I just wanted to give him a hug when I saw him.”

I laughed, she laughed and then I got the details of the dream. I always find it interesting how dreams, or common moments in our living trigger for us much deeper thoughts and actions. I’ve been pondering my Mom’s story over the past few days. In this pondering a key word has surfaced… relationship.

If I was to summarize my nearly three years of theological studies I would have use the word relationship. Not just the relationships that have formed with classmates and professors, but really the whole core of theological studies is about relationship. From the Trinitarian love-fest of our three in one God, to God’s deep love for all of creation and all of humanity, to Jesus’ relationship in becoming one of us, to the pattern of relationship that Jesus has shown to us, to the relationship of faith and reason - nature and belief, to the relationship of the church and the world, to our relationship with Christ… theology and our journey of faith is truly about relationship.

Now this pondering on relationship is not a news flash or a new concept, it is simply a deeply rooted reality, and dare I say truth, which speaks to each of us no matter where we are in the journey. As we continue on in this Lenten Season of Love, the thought and reality of relationships should continue to surface and call us to evaluate our interactions with others, our investments in relationships and the work, efforts and growth that are relationships .

From my Mom’s dream and her hugging my brother, to a conversation with a Franciscan brother, to a coffee with a good friend, to listening to a classmate, to a phone call with a niece of mine, to quiet moments of prayer, to listening to scripture proclaimed the value of relationship has drawn me a bit deeper into this Season of Love. It has made me ponder the relationships I enter into and how much of myself I give. I have contemplated the challenges of relationships in my own life and that of the church and nations. I have considered the struggle we have with being open enough and trusting enough to be brother and sister with each other. I have wondered about how well I am doing at expressing the importance of the relationships that shape my life and what I need to do to heal some relationships, let go of ones that are illusions and share appreciation for those relationships that nurture and sustain me. The list of people could be endless, however Lent is a good time for some concrete actions and calls me and each of us to be aware of our relationship with others and our relationship with Christ. This Season of Love is an opportunity to reflect on our relationships and to bring them to the cross and place them in the heart of love that is our God.

So, to my brother who is very much alive and got a hug from mom this week, I don’t know if you know how much I appreciate you. Your relaxed, easy-going approach which counters my planned, under-control approach is a balance I seek. Your ability to make people laugh, even sometimes groan is a gift that breaks tensions and stirs up some needed excitement in our days. Your tenderheartedness outweighs your sometimes tough exterior. Your ability to adapt, to risk, to dream, to seek new opportunities reminds me that I too must do the same in my journey, in my relationships and in my walk of faith. So, my brother, I’m glad that it was just a crazy dream of Mom’s and that you are very much alive and thankful for the lessons you have taught me about relationships and I’m blessed to call you brother.

May this Lenten week ahead allow for each of us to spend some moments pondering and reflecting on our relationships from family to friends to colleagues to neighbours, to those in need, to our most precious relationship of the one we have with Christ. I know I have my work cut out for me… this Season of Love really is having an impact on my heart.