Sunday, December 7, 2014

Psalm 148, 149, 150    

Isaiah 5:1–7        

2 Peter 3:11–18        

Luke 7:28–35

Nevertheless, we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.  2 Peter 3:13

The call for inner transformation to a new level of individual human consciousness is heard in the voice of Christ during the Advent season. The wisdom of Christ is seen in the parable of Matthew 25 that talks of the wise and foolish bridesmaids. The story talks of a wedding feast and ten bridesmaids waiting for their bridegroom. When his arrival is delayed, the wise bridesmaids prepare themselves by ensuring they have oil for their lamps, the foolish bridesmaids do not. Like most parables, this story has a deeper meaning one dealing with enlightenment or the “lumen superius” so named by St. Bonaventure. Why did they not share the oil? Enlightenment evolves as part of our own spiritual commitment, not easily shared and useful only when you are ready to receive it.

The inner transformation of your own spiritual vineyard (Isaiah 5:1-7) will take a lot of work and cultivation. If driven by ego our lives become a vineyard of wild grapes and lack integrity of purpose and meaning. We must pursue a mindful approach to our life that leaves no chance of being left behind when it comes time to be a true witness to Christ. We must believe that we are part of the birth of a new heaven and earth that we envision and co-create. Advent is a season dedicated to the transcendent energy of the love of God becoming Christ becoming the Holy Spirit, shared with us in the eternal circle of renewal, transformation and ultimate peace.

- Kathryn Tulip

Saturday, December 6, 2014

Psalm 20, 21:1–7(8–14)          

Isaiah 4:2–6 

1 Thessalonians 4:13–18        

Luke 21:5–19

Encourage each other with these words. 1 Thessalonians 4:13

These words from the appointed readings were not just for our ancestors but for us today. What came to mind immediately as I was meditating on the passages, were the words that we hear at this time of year, “Love came down from Heaven”.

Hope for me is believing that the Messiah has come into my world to show me how to Love. Invites me to receive that love into my heart, to see and feel how that love blesses and nourishes, and then encourages me to share that love with others - an invitation to have an open heart and to wholeness.

• What does it mean to me now, today, to welcome the Messiah?
• What distracts me from welcoming the Messiah?
• How will I be with the Lord forever, now and for eternity?
• What are my fears – what are the shadows within that cause me to doubt that love has come down from heaven and offers love and joy that love and justice might reign forever?

I am asked to hold firm and trust in the radical Love of the Messiah present in and around me right now. To encourage one another in that love, and the gift given is that we will be with the Lord forever – to stand firm in my faith and gain life to the fullest now and for eternity. I am called to be a witness to this Glory. How will I witness to God’s Glory through the birth anew each year of Jesus in my heart?

For all that has been, thanks be to God. For what is, thanks be to God. For what will be, thanks be to God!

– Sr. Dorothy Handigan, SSJD

Friday, December 5, 2014

Psalm 16, 17  

Isaiah 3:8–15  

1 Thessalonians 4:1–12 

 Luke 20:41—21:4

Jerusalem staggers, Judah is falling… Isaiah 3:8

In June I landed in Beijing, hungry for a sense of this city. Walls of people rose before me as I grabbed my pack. My taxi raced into town. The famous breakneck pace, heat, humidity and air pollution were all, as warned, extreme.

Beijing also held surprises. Every street was lined with gracious trees and beneath them, I glimpsed signs of Old China: mops and twig brooms used vigorously past their “best-before” dates; hand-washing slung between windows and doorways and across worksites. Elders beside teeming thoroughfares perched on little folding chairs, surveying, discussing. Drivers, oblivious, napping in their busses and moto-rickshaws.

At Tiananmen, pounded by heat, I knew I must turn back to the hotel, or quickly find air-conditioning. First I had to brave the souvenir sellers clustered outside the massive Square. Parasols, hats, trinkets, ice cream: please buy, please buy! I struggled through, clutching my water, making for a seat in the shade.

After a time, a woman sat down beside me. Speaking quietly in Mandarin, her meaning was: “Look. You are hot, and I can help. See my excellent fans (pulled from plastic bag, demonstrated). Buy one. I will give you a deal.”

Did I buy because I was too hot? Because she followed me? Because her eyes held kindness, or because she, like me, was no longer young? Certainly she saw me truly: in need. Beneath those gracious trees, beside that plaza of ceremony, bloodshed and power, I welcomed Messiah in this fan-seller, and, as my yuan became her yuan, I felt her welcome Him in me.

 – Julie Poskitt

Thursday, December 4, 2014

Psalm 18:1–20   

Isaiah 2:12–22

1 Thessalonians 3:1–13

Luke 20:27–40

If you ever feel that you have lost hope, take comfort in the Compline liturgy as I have over the past eighteen months. There is a prayer in that liturgy which begins "Lord, it is night . . .", and there is a profound sense of hope in its conclusion: "The night heralds the dawn. Let us look expectantly to a new day, new joys, new possibilities.” That prayer has been an inspiration for me. It has been a hope-filled inspiration through some very dark times.

The Gospel of Luke for today speaks to me in a very different way than it will to most of you. Certainly the Sadducees wanted to make the concept of the resurrection look ridiculous by posing their question concerning the one bride and the seven brothers. Jesus put the Sadducees in their place having proven to them that their argument about the resurrection was wrong, and reminding them that God is a God of the living not of the dead. He is emphasizing God's promise to share with us His unending love and life eternal, an incredible promise which allows us to live right now in the joy and hope of the age to come. But it was also the message in verses 34-36 that resonates with me, where Jesus clearly states that the human relationships of marriage do not exist in the same way beyond death. However, I have a deep sense of hope and expectation for the God-defined relationships of the resurrection which I believe will transcend those of this age.

– Sandy Austin

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Psalm 119:1–24  

Isaiah 2:1–11  

1 Thessalonians 2:13–20      

Luke 20:19–26

They shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. 

Isaiah 2: 4

Advent season has begun. Every year at this time, I resolve to bear witness to God’s peace that passes all understanding. I wait for the birth of Jesus—Prince of Peace. I wait hoping that my saviour will help us overcome the human-made storms, terrorism, and wars of life, as well as the personal problems which have caused us so much heartache. 

HOPE   I remember the story of Saint Ann’s Church in London, England during World War II. The altar guild prepared the church for Harvest Sunday 1940. There was fruit, corn and beautiful flowers decorating the altar. Shortly after the women had gone home, Saint Ann’s Church was hit by a bomb and demolished. 

When spring came and then summer, a passer-by noticed that where the altar had stood, there was a patch of corn—proof that life is stronger that death; that there is a power stronger that humanity’s wrong-headedness. 

The prophet Isaiah gives us words of comfort and reminds us that all humanity shall someday live in peace. They shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore. Amen

 – Lynne van der Hiel

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Psalm 5, 6 Isaiah 1:21–31 1 Thessalonians 2:1–12 Luke 20:9–18

In love is patience always found, for love kind hearts make common ground; from love conceit and pride take flight and jealously is banished. Love keeps no score of what’s wrong nor sings a pessimistic song nor lets regret or guilt prolong for love expects tomorrow. (from “Should I Rehearse with Human Voice” by John Bell)

In today’s parable Jesus reveals something of the risk of loving. The owner of the vineyard sent one, two, then a third servant to his tenants. They were beat up and cast out. Then he sent his son—and they killed him. God’s human creatures have thus responded to such love from that time until this.

The God of love and hope refuses to let go or give up. God keeps loving even those who reject all Godly overtures – even until they break and destroy themselves by their own resistance. God loves men and women at their worst; “…while we were yet sinners Christ died for us,” wrote Paul (Romans 5.8) “I will send my beloved son,” said the owner of the vineyard, “perhaps they will respect him.”

The God who took such a risk on our behalf has every right to expect us to take some risks on behalf of our fellow beings. We have a position of trust and responsibility in the vineyard of our God; it is to love our brothers and sisters in the human family. This is our primary vocation, regardless of our various avocations. There’s a risk to this kind of loving. There are times when those we love are not able to understand, receive or assimilate such love. Then we are hurt and frustrated; we pull back and become cautious about extending our love to others.

Loving others does involve pain and suffering, discomfort and inconvenience. At the same time, the very effort to love serves to stretch our souls and enlarge our capacity for enrichment. At least we are truly alive when we reach out in love and hope—whether that love and hope is responded to or not.

– Sue House

Monday, December 1, 2014

Psalms 1, 2, 3 Isaiah 1:10–20 1 Thessalonians 1:1–10 Luke 20:1–8

Learning that the overall theme of these reflections was “welcoming the Messiah”, my mind quickly jumped to St. Benedict’s “All guests who come should be received as Christ . . . let Christ be adored in them.” (RB, chapter 53) We have, have had and will have endless opportunities to “welcome the Messiah” face-to-face. But how hard it is to do – and realize before, during and after, the full significance of greeting others, whatever the situation, occasion or locale. Perhaps the old familiar saying “practice makes perfect” can help . . . Most folks are easy to welcome or at least we give the impression that is so, but with those who are anything but “Jesus-like”, at least in our minds, it’s often a challenge.

I pondered if it is possible to have hope without faith. I
decided that if I not only had faith that those I am to welcome will have something Christ-like for me to experience, as well as hope that they will, then maybe I’ll see more of Christ within them. Of course, the flip-side must not be overlooked. When I am welcomed, do others see anything Christ-like in me?

Paul’s words to the Thessalonians can also urge us on, as others “always give thanks to God . . . continually remembering . . . your work of faith and labour of love and steadfast hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.”

What’s the state of your Advent “welcome mat”?

– Mary L. Stewart