Son of God

The gospel for the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time this year ends with the testimony from John the Baptist, “This is the Son of God” (John 1.29-34).

The Son of God is a high title for Jesus and has much theological history to it. It has roots in the Old Testament and it is connected to the baptism of Jesus. The voice from heaven declaring, “this is my Son, the Beloved” (Matthew 3.17) gives roots to this title for Jesus. Son of God is not just a theological point in the life of Jesus, it is way for us to see in him our journey and desires to be children of God.

This week as I read and reflected on the gospel those three words just stood out for me. Son of God. They echoed in my ears and have been reflection in my eyes. The Son of God – Jesus – where do I hear his voice, where do I see him in my daily living, who is he to me and for me?

Son of God – 
our brother, our savior, our way
present in our living, in our prayers, in our hearts
gift given, freedom, depth of relationship.

Son of God,
you are always so near to me,
you are here with me,
you are one of us,
drawing all people and creation 
into the love which you know and offer,
you are a reflection of God;
making God known to me and all people.

Son of God,
you knowing my journey
seeing my ups and downs
and being present in them.

You are gift,
you are life,
you with us…
thank you raises up in each breath.

I desire to dwell in you and with you.
I desire to know you more 
and to celebrate you 
and your love present.

I desire that my life 
be a reflection of all you are:
Beloved,
Son of God,
you here with me.

Living as Beloved

Living as Beloved. Ultimately is this not what as Christians are striving for, to live as the beloved? “Here is my son, the beloved” which was testified by God at the baptism of Jesus is said of each of us at our baptism as well.

As I ponder that, I must ask myself if it is only at my baptism that I claim my belovedness and live as a beloved Child of God? Should it not be each day of my life? In my daily living and being, my life is ultimately a reflection of how I embrace being beloved. It causes me pause as I reflect on my ways, words, thoughts and deeds. Am I reflecting Christ? Am I carrying the gift of him born; the gift of Christmas with me into every day living? Am I fulfilling my baptismal promises of priest, prophet and king?

These questions awaken me to what living as beloved is all about. Living as beloved is about transformation. Opening myself up to the life of Christ and surrendering my all into Him who entered this world and lived in it. Transformation can feel scary, it can seem unattainable and even abstract. Yet realistically transformation begins with our first breaths and in baptism and continues through each stage of life. Transformation leads us closer to Christ, deeper into God’s love and free to surrender into the Holy Spirit’s life-giving breath.

Why do we fear transformation so much? I think it is because we build upon scary, unattainable and abstract instead of the hope, realistic and concrete gift that transformation is for the journey. We build on the scary part when we allow our fears, judgments and others perspectives to taint our being beloved. Transformation can feel unattainable when we leave it simply as broken resolutions, empty promises and fledgling vows. Transformation is only abstract when we create illusions of who we are as beloved instead of leaning into the gift and discovering the graces which come with it.

Christmas is the reminder of how our lives were transformed by and in love. God came among us and decided to stay among us. Christmas is at the root of our being beloved. It is God affirming how much God loves the world and us and how we are called to life in this love. Now as the Christmas Season fades away and the mid-point of month one of 2020 draws near this transforming love must once again settle into our bones and lives. Not just in nice words, quick hopes and fancy wishes, but in how we embrace the gift of being beloved, how we help others encounter this gift and how we allow the Beloved One to dwell in our hearts.

I know that for myself embracing the transforming gift of being God’s child is only possible by consciously choosing to see it each day. I can easily get caught up in the: “Me, I’m not beloved” cycle of self loathing, empty promises and failed attempts. When I do this, I am allowing fear to take hold, not God’s heart. Transformation; embracing being beloved is a daily choice and daily gift. I am rediscovering this as I have been settling into new ministry and surroundings over the past few months. I so often want it to be instant and lasting forever. Transformation doesn’t work this way, it is ongoing, it is piece by piece, it is allowing being beloved to penetrate not only my head and ideas but more so my hear, my actions and every cell of my body.

Claiming this belovedness is realizing what St. Irenaeus of Lyon said: “Jesus became what we are that he might make us what he is.” And what Jesus is, is the Beloved One. Which means, yes, we are too! We are divinized (made beloved/holy) and become like God because God first loved us is another way of saying it. This calls us to transforming love, which the letter of John reminds us, “we love because he first loved us” (1 John 4.19)

 Love is in our very DNA.

Love is transformational,

Love is the gift of baptism and each breath we take

because it awakens us to the truth:

“Here is my child, you are my beloved.”

How can we deny ourselves this gift?

I know it doesn’t make sense to do so, rather I am striving to embrace it more each day.

“By the power of your birth (and baptism), 

make us new persons, O Lord.”

- Morning Prayer Friday after Epiphany

Epiphany: New Year and New Roads

The gospel for Epiphany (Matthew 2.1-12) ends with, 
“They (Wise Men) left for their own country by another road.” 

This line has echoed in my thoughts as 2020 begins. A new year has dawned and for many of us what was yesterday is the same today and will be the same tomorrow. However, if we take our cues from the wise men then we know that even in our “own country” or homeland we must take another road. Taking another road need not be major changes to life. I suggest it is simply the invitation to review where we have come from and what we must do in the journey ahead. Many of us will not go to a different a country or even face significant changes in this new year, but how will let the light shine which has been entrusted to us? How will we will live in the light that dawned in our lives? What little paths must we take in this year?

I have always been fascinated by the Wise Men and their trust in following a star. Trusting that they would be guided through valleys low and mountains high to their destination. Their destination being the Light of the World – God-Hero; Wonderful Counselor; the Prince of Peace. This small child who would illumine their lives and cause them to present their humble gifts but also awaken them to trust the message of their dream to return home by another road. This small child who they would only encounter as a helpless infant in a manger bed clearly awakened them to more.

As I gaze up at the vast night sky and as I am reassured by the twinkling of Christmas lights on the winter horizon, I have to ask myself:

How do I trust that the Light of the World is illumining my paths in this new year?
How do I present my gifts? 
        Do I present them or do I hoard them?
How do I listen to the dreams God presents to me? 
       Are they hints and visions for renewed living in my “own country”? 
       Are they “another road” for the journey of 2020?

These are the questions which are swirling around and through me as 2020 begins. I am happy to have faithful companions like the Wise Men to remind me of the journey. With insights from their journey I too, in each month of this journey we call 2020, will present my gifts to the Christ Child and pay him homage with my life. With insights from the journey which has been my own, with the hopes and dreams which I carry and with promises of a new year unfolding, I too will arise and shine for my light has come (Isaiah 60.1) and give praise to God for what has been and what will be.

God of wonders - 
God of new beginnings - 
God of the stars and the sun,

As this new year unfolds
awaken me to new paths
to walk in the familiar grounds
of “my own country”.

As the Wise Men of old
followed a star
with trust and focus
and fell down in 
wonder and awe before
your son – the Christ Child
may I too trust in your ways,
and be filled with wonder and awe
in all that will unfold in the year ahead.

God of vision –
God of newness – 
God of life,

2020 vision is about clarity and sharpness
may I seek the clarity which you give,
may I strive for the sharpness of sight
which reveals you in my everyday living
in each moment of this year.

As the Wise Men of old
presented their gifts to Your Son,
I too desire to do the same
with my gifts and abilities
as I encounter you in
my brothers and sisters
and all of creation.

God of light – 
God of love – 
God of all,

Your love is the light for my path,
your love is the light which illumines my darkness,
drawing me closer to you and 
guiding me in ways which are everlasting.

As the Wise Men of old
were overwhelmed with joy
may I too be aware of the joys in life
as I lift up my eyes to see your glory
and give praise for the birth of your Son
in my life each day.

Amen.

Happy Epiphany!

“Go before us with heavenly light, 

O Lord, always and everywhere.” 

- Epiphany Prayer After Communion

Happy New Year! 

Let us walk in the light in 2020 

and bring light to others all the days of 2020!

Christmas: Little Child, O Little Child

Little Child

O Little Child

born this day

becoming one of us

showing us love’s way.

Little Child

O Little Child 

shepherds gather near

in you they know

there is nothing to fear.

Little Child

O Little Child

angels sing your praise

our hearts are stirred

as with them our voices raise.

Little Child

O Little Child

creation repeats this joy

born for us, born for all

you, Mary’s little boy.

Little Child

O Little Child

Joseph gently guarding you

inviting those who seek

to witness love a new.

Little Child

O Little Child

animals give you a home

they seem to know

that with you we are not alone.

Little Child

O Little Child

wise ones arrive with gifts

adoring you, worshipping you

God present in their midst.

Little Child

O Little Child

I too draw to your side

I kneel now at your manger

giving all I hold inside.

Little Child

O Little Child

you are now here

I rejoice in this gift

for you I love so dear.

Little Child

O Little Child

you are the way

you are truth and life

be born in me today.

Little Child

O little Child

Jesus born this day

you are one of us, with us 

beyond this Christmas day.

St. Francis of Assisi was so in awe of the Christ Child that when he spoke of the Babe from Bethlehem his voice sounded like a bleating sheep and tasted like sweet honey. May our voices be filled with warmth and delight this Christmas Season. 

As we draw near the stable, let us be mindful of the simplicity of it. As we celebrate the birth of our Saviour, let us be mindful that he calls us to simplicity so that we may all enjoy the gift of his birth and God present in all of creation. 

As we linger at his manger, let us be aware of those who have nothing and simply seek the warmth of humanity. Let us be aware that the Christ Child and his parents were refugees and migrants seeking shelter and that at this time there are thousands of our brothers and sisters in the same situation.

As we gaze upon the Holy Family, let us be conscious of those who have no family and those who are alone. Let us be conscious that the newborn Child calls us to make room for one more at our tables, in our churches, in our gatherings. 

As we gather with family and friends to celebrate, let us be attentive that several people will not be able to do so because of suffering, hurts, natural disasters and violence. Let us be attentive to their needs and at the very least offer prayers in this holy season for these our brothers and sisters.

As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, let us give thanks and praise to God for all that we have and all the good and generous gifts we have received. Let us give thanks and praise that our God is with us today and always.

Merry Christmas 

may the blessings of this season be abundant 

and lead you to walk into 2020 with renewed vision and hope.

Thank you for including my blog in your daily living of the gospel. 
Peace and all good.

Blogs will continue again in the new year.

Artwork by: Yevgenia Petrenko, ofs - Ukraine

Advent IV

Hope and promise

in the wings of an angel

in the whisper of the message

in the yes of the young women.

Hope and promise

in the dreams of night

in the wisdom of the angel

in the yes of the young man.

Hope and promise

in the trust embodied

in the strength for the journey

in the yes of the young couple.

Hope and promise

in the journey to Bethlehem

in the stable as a shelter

in the yes even in the unknown.

Hope and promise

in the stable of long ago

in the message for us today

in the yes to bear Christ.

Hope and promise

in my carrying of this hope

in my living of this promise

in my yes which I give.

O Come O Come Emmanuel

the time is drawing near!

Advent Journey III

Advent days

where are you going?

You are slipping away

so very quickly.

The days are full,

they pull at me

to be busy,

so as not to go with purpose.

Advent days:

preparations and contemplation,

quiet and demands,

the tensions which hold this season.

Carols begin to fill my ears,

twinkling lights begin to appear,

cookies here and cakes too,

all so good but must having meaning.

Advent days

you awaken me

to stirrings in my heart

help me to listen.

The gifts of the season

the special treats and surprises

what do they say to me?

Do they lead me to the true gift?

Advent days

your message is prepare,

transform the way,

be ready for the child King comes to us.

Your days are now over half gone

yet I still have days to walk in you,

to grasp moments,

to ponder, to pray, to be.

Advent days

even in the busy

you find ways to whisper to me

about peace, hope, joy and love.

Settle into me O peace,

anchor me O hope,

guide my actions O joy

live through me O love…

in these few remaining Advent days and beyond.

Rejoice! Rejoice! 

Emmanuel is drawing near!

- inspired by the reality of a full schedule,

and finding time for Advent reflections.

Advent Journey II

Advent you are filled with

rich and interesting characters

and inviting winter darkness.

Rich and interesting characters

and inviting winter darkness

which awakens me,

calls me to who I am

and the light dawning within.

Prophets, seers, sages,

challenge me to see

the light I carry

and how I let it shine.

Darkness which enfolds me,

gently slows me down,

awakening me to truths

and wisdom needed.

Wise women and brave men

walk with me on this journey,

whispering to me their stories,

which are part of my own.

The darkness of this season

envelops around me like a gentle blanket

not laden with fear or worry

rather with hope, like a child in the womb.

Isaiah, Jeremiah and John the Baptist

declare what is coming

and what has already come;

I must take up what they have heralded.

Darkness creates a masterpiece,

my eyes adjusting to new ways

of seeing into my heart

and the stirring hope which enlightens it.

Zechariah and Elizabeth, Mary and Joseph

bravely walk to the tune of love

embracing your gifts, deciding to go with trust,

I too must do the same this season and life journey.

Darkness calms my busyness,

dances around my false dreams

calls me to listen, to listen deeply

to you, O God, you with us.

Advent your gifts are

rich and interesting characters

and inviting winter darkness,

reminding me I am not alone,

telling me to raise up my head

for new light is dawning

and I too have my part

in preparing the way.

Come O Come Emmanuel, 

be born in us again.

- inspired by the darkness to dawn of a winter morning prayer time and

the readings of the First Week of Advent.