Onward Christian Lovers

2 Corinthians 5:16-21          Onward Christian lovers

         I have written in the recent past (11-7-12) about moving forward. That is, recognizing and appreciating the past from which we have come. Appreciating that which has contributed to our formation and yet not living in that past. We are meant to grow and move forward; to grow and morph into the beauty that we are all meant to be, that we in fact all have within us.

           When we move forward, as this reading points out, we are to move forward as a new being. We are no longer to judge ourselves by what we were, what we may have done. We are new beings. This concept is best exemplified in what the sacrament of reconciliation is meant to be.  Too often we might 'go to confession' and we do not let go of the thing we went in to confess about. True reconciliation, true repentance means we are changed and we are moving forward.  There should be no more guilt. That is a tall order if you have been raised Catholic or Jewish, the two major religions that have us packing ton's of luggage (for our guilt trips). In true reconciliation of any kind, you square what you have done and move onward.

            If you wish to make a new resolution, make your reconciliation with God and move forward in love and happiness and appreciation for the new birth - of you !

       

          

From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way. So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

He ain't heavy, he's my brother

Hebrews 2:10-18          He ain't heavy,  he's my brother

          No too long ago, at a social event I was introduced to a man who as it turns out is a deacon and is coming out. Of course my eyes lit up a bit and my ears strained to hear everything he had to say. It was my story he was living! If anyone would know how I feel, he would certainly have an idea and so a new friendship was born.

          When we say that Jesus died on a cross for us, I think it seems impressive and powerful but perhaps we are a little detached from it. The movie by that horrible anti-gay, anti-semite, religious fanaticist, Mel Gibson called The Passion of the Christ if nothing else brought us face to face with what a vision of what Jesus endured for each one of us. That is powerful and good for us to remember.

          That picture of Jesus however is often the only vison we think of though - he died on a cross for us. In this reading, I get a different picture, one that I hold in my heart and profess to anyone I can. It is a vision of the human Jesus. Jesus as brother. As I noted above, Jesus as someone who experienced what we experienced so you feel automatically drawn to him because you know he knows what it like to live. That in itself I suppose isn't that hard to visual either if it were not for the fact that the reading make that much richer.

            Jesus calls us brother. Jesus is as human, fragile and troubled sometimes as we are. Although there is scant information about Jesus in (approved) scriptures about the first 33 years of Jesus' life, we know he was not zapped here. He grew up like we all did. He did the things we all did and shared the life and emotions we all lived.  He played as a child, skinned his knees, got dirty perhaps, even didn't do his chores exactly when asked to. Would that be a sin? No, not really. Did he feel love for someone? Did he have the attractions and emotions we all have? You name any emotion, situation that we lived and feel, so did he.

          So when Jesus steps up onto the stage of public life, he steps up and says what? Preaches like a self righteous born-again-like preacher? Is he a aloof?  No, not at all. He is one of us and he lives like one of us and preaches in words like the people did, like one of us. And he makes a point of saying he is one of us, shares humanity with us and calls us brothers and sisters and recognizes the godliness in every one as well. Now here is God come alive as we all can, as humans. We will not achieve what he achieved but should not aspire to for we cannot and we are not meant to. But Jesus loves us like a brother and friend and show us what we are capable of in goodness and Godliness. He shows us The Way. He shows us that He is someone we can sit and talk with, someone who will make our eyes light up because he gets it. He knows what being human is like. He experienced what we experience.

            Gathering with friends, loving, sitting by a fire, drinking, eating, trying to do he right thing and being thwarted, feeling love for someone, just living - Jesus knows. He calls us brothers and sisters. He did not dismiss us for any reason and embraces us always, everywhere and at all times in our life.

           More good news. He ain't heavy, he's my brother.

It was fitting that God, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. For this reason Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters,saying,
‘I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters,
   in the midst of the congregation I will praise you.’
And again,
‘I will put my trust in him.’
And again,
‘Here am I and the children whom God has given me.’

Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death. For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham. Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested. 

Matthew Shepard & Erase Hate

1 John 2:7-11          Matt Shepard and Erase Hate

           Everyone is aware I think of the rubbery wrist bands with colours as vast as the rainbow, each colour representing a specific cause. I think the first of them may have been Livestrong (yellow). I have many myself but my choice is The Matthew Shepard Foundation's Erase Hate wrist band (purple).

           Long before I had any inckling of being gay my spirit was wrenched by the knowledge that this young man was killed in such a brutal, hateful manner simply because he was whom God made him to be. This crime against humanity touched me to the core, perhaps that subconscious part of me that knew I was gay. I somehow recognized that such a crime was also against me.

          Erasing hate is what this reading is all about. Hate is an absolutely vicious word and one that really deserves to be banished from the language in both word and in action. Yet we use the word so flippantly all day long. I hate brussel sprouts! I hate this political figure. I hate this, I hate that. It is no big leap then that we hate a person or a group of people. You can dislike brussel sprouts, you can dislike anyone, but hate? Hate is an intolerable.

          This reading is perfectly clear. We cannot hate and say we are lovers of a God that loves us so much that he too was hung to die, not so far removed from what happened to Matthew Shephard. 

          Perhaps for one day, listen for the word hate in conversation, from others mouths or perhaps our own. Think about a young man hanging to die on a fence. Think about a man hung to die on a cross for us. Think about hate so vile that it brought a crowd to shout Crucify him! Crucify him! 

           When we hate, even using the word, we enable evil and turn our backs on our loving God. When we hate we put another nail in our Lord's hand as if to say, how about a little bit more suffering? 

           Eradicate the word for our vocabulary. Erase Hate completely.

Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you have had from the beginning; the old commandment is the word that you have heard. Yet I am writing you a new commandment that is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. Whoever says, ‘I am in the light’, while hating a brother or sister, is still in the darkness. Whoever loves a brother or sister lives in the light, and in such a person there is no cause for stumbling. But whoever hates another believer is in the darkness, walks in the darkness, and does not know the way to go, because the darkness has brought on blindness.

What could have been

Psalm 124          What could have been

          I don't know if you know the movie It's a Wonderful Life. It highlights the troubled life of a man named George (Jimmy Stewart) who contemplates suicide as a solution to his problems only to come to realize how blessed his life has truly been and is.

          Usually, I drive on one road going to work and on a different road for the ride home. The first is uncrowded at 5am and the second, while a longer route, actually is faster in the afternoon. I think my family knows this and it is why I received a frantic call the other day from my daughter asking if I had made it home ok.  On this particular day someone suggested a fish market that I might want to stop at on the way home so I didn't go home by my usual route. Unbeknownst to me, there had been a fatal 30 car pile up on the road I usually take home at a place and time that would have put me squarely at the scene if not in the middle of the carnage.  Because I went a different way it seems, I was spared.

         There are so many should have - would have's in life. When we are counting our blessings, perhaps it would not be a bad idea to think of some of the things that could have been or might not have been. I am sure everyone has had some narrow misses. Perhaps an evening or two when you pressed your luck in some manner and wound up at home safe and sound. And then you realize how blessed you are. Let's think about some of those times and give thanks to God.

          Aside from God's undying love for us, there would seem to be some more unopened and perhaps uncounted presents under the tree this year.  These are all the things that might have been. Narrow escapes, people we might not have met and loved, and myriad things we rarely think of, those shoulda-woulda-coulda's.  Take some time today to think about blessing we may have missed and

           Praise God!

A Song of Ascents. Of David.
If it had not been the Lord who was on our side
   —let Israel now say—
if it had not been the Lord who was on our side,
   when our enemies attacked us,
then they would have swallowed us up alive,
   when their anger was kindled against us;
then the flood would have swept us away,
   the torrent would have gone over us;
then over us would have gone
   the raging waters. 

Blessed be the Lord,
   who has not given us
   as prey to their teeth.
We have escaped like a bird
   from the snare of the fowlers;
the snare is broken,
   and we have escaped. 

Our help is in the name of the Lord,
   who made heaven and earth.

The goodness of God

Psalm 145         The goodness of God

          There is such madness during the Christmas season that culminates in one spectacular day that often there is a let down of seemingly epic proportions that coincides with an enormous sigh of relief.

           I will say, I did an admirable job of keeping the insanity at bay myself and enjoyed the daily readings and meditations.  I hope you did as well. I also hope you put aside some extra time just for you and God.

         If there is a post holiday let down brought on by a wee bit too much materialsim or a bout or two of gluttony, know that God has not abandoned you. Not so quickly, not ever actually. The Lord is faithful in all his words, and gracious in all his deeds. So God's offer, God's gift of love does not end on Christmas morning even if you haven't opened the gifts he has offered. And if you slipped and fell, God is still faithful to you in love and mercy and his offers of love and relationship still graciously stand as they always have. 

             ...and gracious in all his deeds. The Lord upholds all who are falling, and raises up all who are bowed down. God would like nothing more than to hold you up with his loving arms around you, lift you up with arms that never grow weak.

          God's gracious love does not end on Christmas morning. There does not have to be a retreat to the way things were or are. 

          Still, open the gift. God's boundless love awaits.

Praise. Of David.
I will extol you, my God and King,
   and bless your name for ever and ever.
Every day I will bless you,
   and praise your name for ever and ever.
Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;
   his greatness is unsearchable. 

One generation shall laud your works to another,
   and shall declare your mighty acts.
On the glorious splendour of your majesty,
   and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.
The might of your awesome deeds shall be proclaimed,
   and I will declare your greatness.
They shall celebrate the fame of your abundant goodness,
   and shall sing aloud of your righteousness. 

The Lord is gracious and merciful,
   slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
The Lord is good to all,
   and his compassion is over all that he has made. 

All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord,
   and all your faithful shall bless you.
They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom,
   and tell of your power,
to make known to all people your mighty deeds,
   and the glorious splendour of your kingdom.
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
   and your dominion endures throughout all generations. 

The Lord is faithful in all his words,
   and gracious in all his deeds.
The Lord upholds all who are falling,
   and raises up all who are bowed down.
The eyes of all look to you,
   and you give them their food in due season.
You open your hand,
   satisfying the desire of every living thing.
The Lord is just in all his ways,
   and kind in all his doings.
The Lord is near to all who call on him,
   to all who call on him in truth.
He fulfils the desire of all who fear him;
   he also hears their cry, and saves them.
The Lord watches over all who love him,
   but all the wicked he will destroy. 

My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord,
   and all flesh will bless his holy name for ever and ever.

Gifted

Acts 6:8-7:2,51-60          Gifted.

         The history of the Catholic church holds that Stepehn was a Deacon of the church and the church's first martyr. When I was ordained to the permanent Deaconate, my first opportunity to preach came on the feast of St. Stephen. The church was surrounded by small rocks for drainage. All I could imagine was if I didn't preach well, I might be dragged out and get stoned like Stephen.  Luckily, that didn't happen.  I did not speak with the same fire and judgement Stephen did, but I did well. I survived.

         What I cannot help but notice is the similarities between then and now. Stephen really goes to town on the religious leaders as stiff necked people, 'uncircumcised' in heart and ears, those that received the law by angels yet really do not keep the faith. He is so truthful in all he said and the very arguments and judgements could be levied against some of the churches today. If the Church, any church, is given the gift of authority by God or assigned the great task of leading, then that is what they should do. If you use that authority to simply maintain your authority , keep the status quo and limit the love of God by human means, well, that is a true sin. That kind of church, the one Stephen preached against disrespects every being  and especially God.  The love of God is not found in rubrics and remonstrations.

           If you have received the gift of faith, how woud you proceed to unwrap it, to respect that gift?

Stephen, full of grace and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and others of those from Cilicia and Asia, stood up and argued with Stephen. But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke. Then they secretly instigated some men to say, ‘We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.’ They stirred up the people as well as the elders and the scribes; then they suddenly confronted him, seized him, and brought him before the council. They set up false witnesses who said, ‘This man never stops saying things against this holy place and the law; for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses handed on to us.’ And all who sat in the council looked intently at him, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

7

Then the high priest asked him, ‘Are these things so?’ And Stephen replied:

‘Brothers^* and fathers, listen to me. The God of glory appeared to our ancestor Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran,

‘You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you are for ever opposing the Holy Spirit, just as your ancestors used to do. Which of the prophets did your ancestors not persecute? They killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One, and now you have become his betrayers and murderers. You are the ones that received the law as ordained by angels, and yet you have not kept it.’

When they heard these things, they became enraged and ground their teeth at Stephen. But filled with the Holy Spirit, he gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. ‘Look,’ he said, ‘I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!’ But they covered their ears, and with a loud shout all rushed together against him. Then they dragged him out of the city and began to stone him; and the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ When he had said this, he died.

Christmas Day!

Isaiah 9:2-7          Christmas day !           

            The day of new life and gift giving has arrived.  If there has been no time until now, it is a perfect time to grap at least a few minutes to reflect on what Christmas truly is before it vanishes into a haze of flying wrapping paper, cookies and yet more over indulgent eating.

             Last night, Mass at the friary was charming, holy, and filled with every good aspect of what Christmas is. As I sat in chapel preparing myself  for this Holy day service,  I watched the church cat walk around an greet the worshipers. My meditation was drawn to my own life and the gifts I hav been bestowed with. This be a Franciscan Friary and what with the lovely Kitty on my lap,  The gft of our own cat George came to mind. So the litany of gifts begins.

            The gift of George

            The gift of being able to appreciate the variety of life that God has created.

            The gift of the man sitting next to me, my husband.

            The gift of marriage equality.

            The gift of nature and the presence of balsam and the fragrance that fills your soul.

The procession has begun and as the Monks slowly into the chapel, my mind continues to enter into a deeper and more formal appreciation and celebration of Christmas Day, arrived anew.
         
             The gift of the Christ child.

             The gift of new life.

             The gift of God coming to us as a human.

             The gift of prayers answered.

             The gift of saying yes to who you are and living it to the full.

             The gift of prophets and priests of which are, one and all.

             The gift of community and fellowship.

             The gift of being totally human, heart, mind and sexuality, all good.

             The gift of time in which to learn, grow and love.

             The gift of hope which the Christ child brings.

         
         The joy of Christmas has arrived with countless gifts for us to acknowledge and unwrap. It may take a lifetime to open some or simply to appreciate what we have been given. We need to appreciate who we are, that is a gift of such enormity it certainly will take our whole life to unwrap.

          Merry Christmas, go unwrap your presents. Kiss and Hug the Christ child who loves you, who is as vulnerable as you and who appreciates all you are.

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness— on them light has shined. You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire. For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

Advent Day 23

Christmas Eve day         Advent day 23

          The day is almost here. I recall family members at this time actually just starting to shop for presents. Of course that's not the whole idea of Christmas but some of us are late shoppers. I myself am a planner. I suppose it's one of the reasons I started an Advent mission here on my blog. A time of preparation and a time for waiting. Well the time is almost here.

          No scripture reading here today, simply thoughts and reflections on a the season of preparing and waiting. I think the key to a successful anything is in the preparing. As we prepare to receive gifts, like  the ones that God offers us every day, but especially tomorrow, I cannot help but think about the preparation.

         Yesterday at a luncheon we held here for some friends, the discussion turned briefly to people being outed. I am the first to say that being yourself is a gift from God no matter who you are but being gay is a joyous gift to be fully embraced. That is a gift I'd like everyone to open this Christmas. But being outed is like spoiling a gift. You are not letting the person unwrap it themselves, slowly at their own pace, appreciating every glimpse of what's inside as you unwrap it. No, outing is certainly not a good thing. And conversely, hiding who you are is not good at all either.

         God reveals his love for us tomorrow by taking on human form.  If you are gay, God gave you that gift at birth. The process of opening that gift should be a planned methodical process. You should open it fully only when you are ready. The process should be planned for you and you alone. Like the journey of an Advent blog, the journey of life and the journey to wholeness, coming out should be savored and cherished and opened only when you are ready.

          The beginning of that journey could begin for you as a gift to yourself tomorrow. Start your own journey to wholeness as a gift to yourself. If you left the planning for Christmas to today, a last minute shopper so to speak, decide today that tomorrow you will give yourself and God the gift of a journey of wholeness together. You and God.

            My final thoughts are that you seek out a midnight service in celebration of the birth of our Lord. This is usually a very special service with revelers of all kinds in attendance. The energy and love that is there could be yet another gift to yourself. Food for the journey ahead.

            Open your presents slowly, savor the moment.

          

Advent day 22

Hebrews 10:5-10           Advent day 22

               There's a line in the movie Moonstruck by Vincent Gardenia when he is talking to Cher in the family kitchen. They banter about her getting married a second time. Her first husband was hit by a bus ("bad luck" he says). Cher tells him her new fiance's mother is dying and Vince adds, "more bad luck". Of course you really have to see it. No really, you have to see it. But I digress... slightly.

            For us this reading today is 'more good news'. When Christ was born, the apple cart was overturned, the money changers would be thrown out of the temple and the temple elite would get their cumeuppance from the Big boss, our Lord Jesus Christ.

           Stop with the rules and rubrics. It doesn't matter what the precise angle is when we pray with our hands as we learned in Catholic grade school.  It really isn't importnat that so much energy is expended on converting the faithful to use the proper words in Mass.  Is it truly essential that a precise and unchangeable formula be used for the host in Mass? Are we bound by "Holy days of obligation" that are all man made days, no matter how the good intention may be?  Is eating meating on a friday in Lent a true mortal sin? Or can we dispense with that rule if Saint Patrick's day falls on a friday in Lent? How could we eat our cabbage with corned beef? Now wouldn't that be a mortal sin, eh?. Yes the rules and rubrics, the sacrifices and prescribed incense are NOT what God is looking for and this reading spells it out.

            We are free from the nonsense, more good news! Perhaps we should think about this gift and what it means to do your will. Perhaps this is not easier, or even more difficult, than following all the prescribed rules and rubrics. What is God's will after all? John the Baptist pointed to it and Jesus was quite clear about it in word and deed.

             The two great commandments for sure. What about that love of self and neighbor? Does that include respect, assistance, sharing the wealth, uplifting each other? Does it include respect for all of God's creations, all God's creatures great and small? Do we respect the diversity of this planet in all it's forms? Do we respect the planet? Do we love this plant we call home? Many questions for sure.

         The gift of freedom from the minutia that really stands in the way of a pure heart is lived out in doing His will. A beautiful gift for us (more good news!). The world should be better for if we look, listen and do His will.

Brothers and sisters:

When Christ came into the world, he said:

"Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,

but a body you prepared for me;

in holocausts and sin offerings you took no delight.

Then I said, 'As is written of me in the scroll,

behold, I come to do your will, O God.'"

First he says, "Sacrifices and offerings,

holocausts and sin offerings,

you neither desired nor delighted in."

These are offered according to the law.

Then he says, "Behold, I come to do your will."

He takes away the first to establish the second.

By this "will," we have been consecrated

through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Advent day 21

Luke 1:46-56          Advent day 21

          As I wrote before (Advent day 7), Mary could have been the first gay icon.  In this reading from the Gospel of Luke, we have Mary speaking in terms perhaps only a 'born again' person  or a gay Christian can understand. I feel such is the power that lies within the heart and soul of every gay person when they come to accept God's love, to accept who God has made them to be and the fullness of life they will feel and exude.

            Having said this exact reading many, many times in evening prayer in the seminary, I understand the force and power that comes forth when they are read in unison. This is the same power of the so called gay agenda. It is the power that belongs to anyone or any group when they acknowledge who they are and have pride in it. Together it has great force. It isn't even necessarily that the force is used, it is simply easily seen by anyone. There is no denying the power and authority of self assuredness and of knowing you are right, and having the loving God on your side. The reason so many religious leaders come off as negative, unbelievable and disingenuous is because while they may feel self assured and may even be convincing on some level, it is the power of the loving God that is the clincher if you will. That is the true power. It is why the Roman Catholic church is in such dire straights on so many issues.  The faithful (sensus fidelium) have the power because they instinctively know what is right and have God on their side. It is the power of the Holy Spirit which no authority created by man or circular logic can compensate for.

            One of the gifts that God gives anyone who accepts who they are and revels in their God given goodness, is a power that has no earthly equal. It is power Mary speaks of in this reading and it is the power that is yours if you accept who you are.

             Fly forth little butterfly with the power of the Son. 

Mary said:

"My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;

my spirit rejoices in God my savior.

for he has looked upon his lowly servant.

From this day all generations will call me blessed:

the Almighty has done great things for me,

and holy is his Name.

He has mercy on those who fear him

in every generation.

He has shown the strength of his arm,

and has scattered the proud in their conceit.

He has cast down the mighty from their thrones

and has lifted up the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things,

and the rich he has sent away empty.

He has come to the help of his servant Israel

for he remembered his promise of mercy,

the promise he made to our fathers,

to Abraham and his children for ever."

Mary remained with Elizabeth about three months

and then returned to her home.

Advent day 20

Zephaniah 3:14-18A          Advent day 20

             The Lord has removed the,judgement against you. How many people yearn to hear those words  and more importantly yearn to feel those words. It is something Cathological that we can "go to confession" and still can't give up the guilt we are feeling; we still don't feel whole. The feeling of lingering guilt and feeling less than whole is a large societal thing, not just a religious thing that Catholics and Jews seem to have mastered.

               No one has come from a story book home life and many will joke that every family is dysfunctional in one way or another. We all have our battle scars from life. Just last night I joked that we vow as parents not to repeat the mistakes our own parents made with us so we 'give' our children new ones. But lets' face it, some really do have it harder than others. Life seems to have handed really crappy parents to some. Some people bare scars simply for who they are. After a long intro, that is who I would love to address this reflection to today.

          The LGBTQ community has long been on many peoples D-list. Marginalized and judged, described as an act instead of as a person. Judged as psychologically disordered, inherently evil and countless other judgmental and derogatory terms. If you pick apart the LGBTQ and look at each letter, things seem to go from bad to worse. It's bad enough that society has frowned on those who don't use their parts "the way God intended", there are those in the LGBTQ that just don't have the so called correct parts. Life becomes a mish-mosh it seems. But really it is a testamonial to the diversity of God's creation even though society likes things in neat boxes and frown on diversity.

         I write for those who know that it is really is all about hearts and not parts. I write for all those who have been marginalized and spit upon. I write for all those whose self worth has been so severely affected by what others have told them that they want to end their own God given life. I write for those  affected by religions that instead of heaping the love of God on them, they seem buried by nothing but condemnation and hate. I write for all those who live in fear that they cannot possibly live as an out and proud person. And I write for those that try to find self worth in a seemingly endless array of casual encounters trying to find wholeness and self respect that only comes from acknowledging and loving yourself as a beautiful creation of God.

            Sing Joyfully my brothers and Sisters. The LORD has removed judgement against you and has turned away your enemies. Jesus in our midst, Jesus soon to be born, lover of men and women, Lover of ALL his creations. Savior, healer, comforter and friend. Jesus is here for you. No one has a lock on his love and no one can speak for him. His words and actions here on earth are those of a loving God, not a vengeful God. Certainly not the God of hate, fear and guilt you may have experienced.


             If you have not experienced the feeling that God loves you totally, unreservedly and completely, seek out the God of love. Any religion that does not show you the love, acceptance and knowledge that you are a beautiful and loved creation of God is not of God, it is of man.

            Burst forth flower of God. Reach for the sun. Christmas is almost here, the gift of the Son and light of the world will soon be here for YOU.

Shout for joy, O daughter Zion!

Sing joyfully, O Israel!

Be glad and exult with all your heart,

O daughter Jerusalem!

The LORD has removed the judgment against you,

he has turned away your enemies;

The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst,

you have no further misfortune to fear.

On that day, it shall be said to Jerusalem:

Fear not, O Zion, be not discouraged!

The LORD, your God, is in your midst,

a mighty savior;

He will rejoice over you with gladness,

and renew you in his love,

He will sing joyfully because of you,

as one sings at festivals.

Advent day 19

Isaiah 7:10-14          Advent day 19

          Last evening I had the pleasure of attending a prayer meeting. One of the things we discussed was about waiting. I had to confess that I didn't feel I had much experience with waiting. I suppose I could look at life and see times that I have waited but as life progressed I did not look at it as waiting. I could say I waited my whole life to come out but the truth is I lived as good and as decent a life as I could not realizing I was gay. I simply tried to live as a good person.  I could also lament 'waiting' for my husband or waiting to the day we got married. Here too, my husband was a gift from God that I perhaps was waiting for in some nebulous way of a happiness and wholeness I had not fully known but  had I met him earlier in life, our relationship would not be what it is today. And as for getting married, we already felt like we were married in the eyes of God, it was the ability to acknowledge that in the law that was waiting for us.

           So waiting represents something I certainly will be thinking about. It is in this vein that I cannot help but think of Isaiah who prophesied many centuries before the birth of Jesus. If Isaiah was waiting for the virgin to conceive and bear a son, he would seem to have waited in vain for his own life ended long before the birth of Jesus. Still God is faithful and loving and on Dec. 25th we celebrate this joyous gift to mankind, the birth of our savior, Jesus. This, oh, about 8 centuries after the prophesy was made. And to think I had been amazed that St. Monica prayed for a mere 30 years for the conversion of her son before it happened.

        It would appear that while God is faithful and loving, we are reminded that our time is not God's time.  Sometimes we will have to wait in our time, perhaps never knowing the answer to things we pray for or hope for. Perhaps we will experience a great aha moment when we die and hopefully catch a glimpse of all that God sees.

    In any event, I will suggest  two things. One, we should be incredibly thankful for the gift of love that God bestows on us. Be thankful for creating us as such a wonderful and unique person. Let us open and embrace our gift. Second, while we may not get the answer to some of our questions or wishes, we need to simply live good and decent lives while we are 'waiting'. Our lives need to be reflective of our faith, reflective of the goodness and Godliness that is an integral part of us. So, even if we are waiting for something, it is time well spent and a life God will beam over.

        Shine on my little star, you are loved!

The LORD spoke to Ahaz:

Ask for a sign from the LORD, your God;

let it be deep as the nether world, or high as the sky!

But Ahaz answered,

"I will not ask! I will not tempt the LORD!"

Then Isaiah said:

Listen, O house of David!

Is it not enough for you to weary men,

must you also weary my God?

Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign:

the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,

and shall name him Emmanuel.

Advent day 18

Luke 1:5-25         Advent day 18

          This reading reminds me of all the stories in Christian scripture that mirror readings from Hebrew Scripture, as if one was used as a pattern for the other. You could Google this and find an astonishing number of parallel passages.  This seems perfectly reasonable to me  since the early Christians were in fact Jews and were well acquainted with passages from Hebrew scripture. To get their message across they used imagery and passages people were familiar with, passages they themselves were familiar with. It also accomplished two other tasks. One was to tie Jesus' life and story to Hebrew scripture. The other, most importantly, was to to show that Jesus was the fulfillment of all the Hebrew passages, He was the fulfillment of what the prophets had been saying.

             What does this have to do with Advent though? More than a literal translation or merely listening to a story, this passage conveys several key truths that are perhaps more important in Advent.

                 The fulfillment of life long dreams and desires that God wants to happen for us. Zechariah was a faithful servant, a man who abided in God. He is given a tremendous gift by God. When he is approached by the angel, the angel says not to be afraid. We, even today, should not be afraid of the good gifts of God. We should not be afraid of him speaking to us in our heart. We should not be afraid of accepting the good gifts he wishes to bestow on us.

              Sometimes we are afraid of receiving gifts. For whatever reason, for whatever actions we may have taken or not taken, we feel unworthy. God wishes us not to be afraid and in spite of our errors or failings, God sees inate immense goodness and his own Godliness in us. He wants the best for us.  Again not a selfish, self centeredness but goodness for each one of us.

        Accept the good gifts and graces of God your creator.

    

In the days of Herod, King of Judea,

there was a priest named Zechariah

of the priestly division of Abijah;

his wife was from the daughters of Aaron,

and her name was Elizabeth.

Both were righteous in the eyes of God,

observing all the commandments

and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly.

But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren

and both were advanced in years.

Once when he was serving as priest

in his division's turn before God,

according to the practice of the priestly service,

he was chosen by lot

to enter the sanctuary of the Lord to burn incense.

Then, when the whole assembly of the people was praying outside

at the hour of the incense offering,

the angel of the Lord appeared to him,

standing at the right of the altar of incense.

Zechariah was troubled by what he saw, and fear came upon him.

But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah,

because your prayer has been heard.

Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son,

and you shall name him John.

And you will have joy and gladness,

and many will rejoice at his birth,

for he will be great in the sight of the Lord.

He will drink neither wine nor strong drink.

He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother's womb,

and he will turn many of the children of Israel

to the Lord their God.

He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah

to turn the hearts of fathers toward children

and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous,

to prepare a people fit for the Lord."

Then Zechariah said to the angel,

"How shall I know this?

For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years."

And the angel said to him in reply,

"I am Gabriel, who stand before God.

I was sent to speak to you and to announce to you this good news.

But now you will be speechless and unable to talk

until the day these things take place,

because you did not believe my words,

which will be fulfilled at their proper time."

Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah

and were amazed that he stayed so long in the sanctuary.

But when he came out, he was unable to speak to them,

and they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary.

He was gesturing to them but remained mute.

Then, when his days of ministry were completed, he went home.

After this time his wife Elizabeth conceived,

and she went into seclusion for five months, saying,

"So has the Lord done for me at a time when he has seen fit

to take away my disgrace before others."

Advent day 17

Matthew 1:18-25          Advent day 17

             I don't know much about Angels but I have often called my daughter Seraphim (Sarah) and I know through some interventions that my Guardian Angel is Raphael. I discovered that while using  a Pocketful of Miracles as a year long meditation guide. Other than that though, angels are somewhat of a mystery to me and  while I know they exist, I am loath to have ever seen one or been visited by one (that I am aware of).

              Consequently I am a bit of a skeptic when I read a story of Joseph being visited by an angel that tells him not to divorce Mary and that he will be the stepfather so to speak, of our savior, Jesus.

               What I do find in this story is the dilemma and opportunity we have every day of our life. We see things we should do and often don't.  I am sure Joseph's buddies (assuming he had some) would have told him to 86 the 'virgin' as fast as you can and find an nice untouched Jewish girl. Perhaps any one of us would have said the same thing. Yes, that would be the easy thing to do, perhaps the most practical. 

              Is the right thing always easy or practical?  Sometimes those are the hardest questions.

              It might have been easier for myself had I remained married as a gay man once I realized I was gay. Many (many) men do. I also see Clergy living double lives all the time, often only discovered after they die and a wife shows up or is mentioned in a will along with a child or two and a separate home. And of course there are a great deal of clergy members who are gay. Leading double lives for gay men boarders on cliche, or at least it used to be. No, the more difficult thing for me to do, which potentially put me at odds with my family which includes a daughter and son was to be honest with everyone so that everyone could move forward with their lives. My decision was certainly impractical for my ministry. I am squarely at odds with my church and I am anathema to everyone I know (or knew). The point is that sometimes it would be easier to live a lie or stay in a closet.

               The more difficult thing to do often is not the most practical but it is almost always it is the right thing to do. As Christmas draws near and we are given this fine example of how Joseph handled a thorny issue (with the help of an angel), let us think about making our own impractical decisions that should be made.  It could be coming out of the closet or acknowledging you are gay. That may be impractical but it is a great gift to yourself and to God ( for acknowledging whom he made you to be ).

It also might be impractical or difficult to re-open lines of communication with someone that has wronged you. But in your faithful loving heart that's what you know you should do. I'll let you come up with more ideas for your own life.

                In the meantime, know there are angels watching over us, helping us.  Always tried to do what is right, not necessarily what the world would say is practical.

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.

When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph,

but before they lived together,

she was found with child through the Holy Spirit.

Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man,

yet unwilling to expose her to shame,

decided to divorce her quietly.

Such was his intention when, behold,

the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,

"Joseph, son of David,

do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.

For it is through the Holy Spirit

that this child has been conceived in her.

She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus,

because he will save his people from their sins."

All this took place to fulfill

what the Lord had said through the prophet:

Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son,

and they shall name him Emmanuel,

which means "God is with us."

When Joseph awoke,

he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him

and took his wife into his home.

He had no relations with her until she bore a son,

and he named him Jesus.

Advent day 16

Matthew 1:1-17          Advent day 16

         If you scroll down to the scripture reading it is very long today. It is the lineage of Jesus and it seems exhaustive. Wow. How many of us wouldn't love to see our own lineage put down on paper?

Two things strike me about this list and that's what I'd like to focus on.

         What strikes me first is the almost unpronounceable names that this list includes. The names seem foreign not just old worldly. How could Jesus be so foreign? Doesn't he have perfect complexion, blue eyes and although tortured, have abs of steel? Yeah, that would be the Hollywood Jesus. Actually, Jesus was a foreigner to us. Jesus was probably short, olive skinned, Jewish  (duh!) and probably would have looked more like an Arab than a man fit for an Abercrombie & Fitch poster. Jesus' appearance might actually make us feel uncomfortable in this post 9/11 world. Perhaps he'd be more likely to resemble an immigrant worker than a Waspy version of Jesus that we might have in our head. Sometimes we shade the entire world by what life is like here in the United States.  As much as some right wing conservative Christians would have you believe this country is not the pinnacle nor the sole source of Christianity.  I think it behooves us to try and think about the historical man Jesus and who he was as he walked the middle east. It seems like it would be a nice gift to give God, simply to meditate on His son.

           The other thought is about the actual extent of the lineage. What lengths God has gone to to help us, to guide us, to show his love for us?  It just seems like a well laid out plan to me.  The meditation that I am currently engaged in then is, once again, just how much God our creator loves us and what lengths he will go to for us. He loves us with recklous abandon and would do anything for us ..and actually does.  One of my plans was to start this Blog as a means of spiritual expression (my love for God) as well as a means of support and growth for those who are out there, marginalized and who might feel abandoned. This Advent I urged everyone to make their own plan, a dedicated plan and an effort to spend time with our creator, our God who loves us. Is that too much to ask for when we are loved so much? But we must have a plan to accomplish our goal.

          Christmas is days away, need I say more?   

         

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ,

the son of David, the son of Abraham.

Abraham became the father of Isaac,

Isaac the father of Jacob,

Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers.

Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah,

whose mother was Tamar.

Perez became the father of Hezron,

Hezron the father of Ram,

Ram the father of Amminadab.

Amminadab became the father of Nahshon,

Nahshon the father of Salmon,

Salmon the father of Boaz,

whose mother was Rahab.

Boaz became the father of Obed,

whose mother was Ruth.

Obed became the father of Jesse,

Jesse the father of David the king.

David became the father of Solomon,

whose mother had been the wife of Uriah.

Solomon became the father of Rehoboam,

Rehoboam the father of Abijah,

Abijah the father of Asaph.

Asaph became the father of Jehoshaphat,

Jehoshaphat the father of Joram,

Joram the father of Uzziah.

Uzziah became the father of Jotham,

Jotham the father of Ahaz,

Ahaz the father of Hezekiah.

Hezekiah became the father of Manasseh,

Manasseh the father of Amos,

Amos the father of Josiah.

Josiah became the father of Jechoniah and his brothers

at the time of the Babylonian exile.

After the Babylonian exile,

Jechoniah became the father of Shealtiel,

Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel,

Zerubbabel the father of Abiud.

Abiud became the father of Eliakim,

Eliakim the father of Azor,

Azor the father of Zadok.

Zadok became the father of Achim,

Achim the father of Eliud,

Eliud the father of Eleazar.

Eleazar became the father of Matthan,

Matthan the father of Jacob,

Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary.

Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ.

Thus the total number of generations

from Abraham to David

is fourteen generations;

from David to the Babylonian exile, fourteen generations;

from the Babylonian exile to the Christ,

fourteen generations.

Advent day 15

Luke 3:10-18          Advent day 15

          My children are adults now, married, away from home and have lives of their own. What a wonderful gift they are. Speaking of gifts, as this is Christmas time I still solicit lists from 'the kids' on what they would like for Christmas.  It's not the focus of the day but I am after all a parent. I try to do my best.

           I lamented a few days ago about what to get for God, the guy who literally has everything. One thing I do know, he'd love to hear from you. That's been a theme of mine through this Advent season. A good conversation would surely be a fine gift. What else though?

            If good conversation is your gift to our creator, I am sure he'll be more than happy. But I dare say, most of us can do more and we should because when we do for others we are doing it for God.

             When I read this passage of scripture it read like a Christmas list, if you have two cloaks, give one to someone who has none. Whoever has more food should do the same.  As tight as things might seem, we surely can help those less fortunate than we are. We are so blessed in so many ways.

             In my old parish, we had an Advent giving tree. We had a formidable outreach program and so we were able to help many, many families who otherwise might have a bleak Christmas. Toys, clothes, you name it, we arranged it. Heating oil? Electric bills? we did that too. One of the joys of a community is that you can work together.  There are many avenues to help others. I would encourage you to find one (or more) community or group and do what you can. This is a gift you can surely give to God.

             This is not to take the place of that personal conversation (read: prayer) with your creator. You still should set aside some time for honest conversation. You cannot buy your way out of having a relationship with God no matter how good your deeds and no matter how much you spend.

             So, I have given you two ideas for gifts for the guy who has everything. Say Amen.

The crowds asked John the Baptist,

"What should we do?"

He said to them in reply,

"Whoever has two cloaks

should share with the person who has none.

And whoever has food should do likewise."

Even tax collectors came to be baptized and they said to him,

"Teacher, what should we do?"

He answered them,

"Stop collecting more than what is prescribed."

Soldiers also asked him,

"And what is it that we should do?"

He told them,

"Do not practice extortion,

do not falsely accuse anyone,

and be satisfied with your wages."

Now the people were filled with expectation,

and all were asking in their hearts

whether John might be the Christ.

John answered them all, saying,

"I am baptizing you with water,

but one mightier than I is coming.

I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals.

He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

His winnowing fan is in his hand to clear his threshing floor

and to gather the wheat into his barn,

but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."

Exhorting them in many other ways,

he preached good news to the people.

Advent day 14

Matthew 17:9A, 10-13          Avent day 14

                Christmas is fast approaching. Are you going at warp speed yet? Have you been able to set aside time for God? Are you giving God the gift of some personal conversation or are you asking someone behind a counter "do you have this in extra large?" or "I just don't know what to get Aunt Beatrice!"

                 I can only urge you in the strongest way to set some time aside. You need to. God wants you to. God longs to hear from you. Setting aside time also respects the spiritual part of you which is as unique and integral as the color of your hair or the color of your eyes. God really does long to hear from you. 

                 Todays reading speaks of what happens when you let your life get too crazy busy. It speaks of what happens when we do not put aside the time I am talking about. The people in Jesus' time failed to see what was right in front of them, namely ,John the Baptist. Very few saw Jesus for who and what he was. Some saw Jesus, saw what he did, how he spoke and were amazed, perhaps even entertained. How many stopped and took the time to think about it? How many just got caught up in the crowd and  wound up in the crowd saying "crucify him!". Even his own disciple Peter, "Jesus who?"

               Don't get caught up in the race, at least not so much that you can't put aside time for what is truly important: you and your relationship with your Creator.

               If you don't have the time then, seriously, it is time to re-assess your life.

As they were coming down from the mountain,

the disciples asked Jesus,

"Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?"

He said in reply, "Elijah will indeed come and restore all things;

but I tell you that Elijah has already come,

and they did not recognize him but did to him whatever they pleased.

So also will the Son of Man suffer at their hands."

Then the disciples understood

that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.

Advent day 13

Galations 3:11-14          Advent day 13

          The gifts that we are receiving during Advent and on Christmas are too numerous to count especially when you consider the intimate gifts that God graces each one of us with, gifts prepared just for each one of us alone. The gifts are as special as we are. We could spend a great deal of time meditating simply on all these gifts. Of course the biggest gift is the gift of Jesus, come to earth to walk and love as a human.

           Todays reading points to an Advent present if you will, a by product of the myriad gifts Jesus's life brings forth for us. When Jesus confronts and rails against the supreme law givers, the ones who make laws as heavy as any millstone around our necks, he is fulfilling this reading that we are redeemed from the curse of the law.

          We can live by the law but it must be in the light of Jesus' love. The law is meant to help us not to choke us. This is why when asked which was the greatest commandment (law), Jesus gave us the two great commandments. By His life and death, Jesus frees us from the law. Now we must use our conscience

           I can't help but think about this in the context of a car. It's as if God is freeing us from speed limits. But now we have to consider, respect for others who are driving, the weather, the roads, the shape of our own car, the selfish consumption of resources if we drive so fast and so it goes.

           Freedom from the law is a very adult gift, it isn't for lightweights and it respects the ability of us as humans to think. It respects our consciences. But most of all, freedom from the law requires that we think about love. We have to temper every decision in the light of God's love knowing as I say, that God loves everyone else at least as much as God loves you.  Heavy stuff.

            As Advent unfolds , think about the gifts God is giving us. Adult gifts. Gifts of love.

         

Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith.” The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, “The person who does these things will live by them.” Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.” He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.

Advent day 12

John 15:5-11          Advent day 12

         If you abide in Him, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. Sounds pretty neat.  How many times though have you asked and not received? How do we rationalize that? God answers all prayers but not necessarily the way we want?  I've heard that before.  Then there is the notion that God gives you what you need, not necessarily what you ask for.

         Truth be told there is a caveat in that reading from scripture and it is this: IF you abide in me. The question is then, do we abide in Him, the one who created us, loves us and wishes us to be the whole beautiful being we were meant to be? What do you suspect stands in our way to completely abide in His love and in His word?  A great deal of the problem is us focusing more on the small unimportant details of life. We focus too much on the icing and not on the cake. Cars, houses, toys, work, boats, games, phones, other people business and so on, and so on.

          We may mouth that we are believers and say we are faithful but are we? When the time comes, do we whip out our faith and ask God for what we want as if He is some kind of insurance policy?

         Admittedly, this is probably one of the most difficult times of the year to focus on God and a real relationship with him. However, the contrast between God and the frills, presents and the hectic world is much clearer and the rewards for abiding in Him is all that much sweeter and and that much more rewarding at this time of year.

          Time is passing quickly, Christmas is less than 2 weeks away. Make the time, abide in Him.

I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.

Advent day 11

Luke 1:39-47          Advent day 11

          The morning that my daughter was born, I was there in the delivery room. There seemed to be a million things going on in the room but when my daughter was born I was overcome with emotion. It was as if I was an emotional volcano. The emotions came from deep inside and I was overcome with tears of joy. There are many words to explain this, being verklempt and kvelling, are just two. It's emotions that comes from deep inside your gut, it's overpowering.

            How often do we feel that depth of emotion, that depth of joy? In this reading from Luke, the visitation of Mary to Elizabeth, there is clearly an expression of the joy that not only the women felt, but also the babes in their wombs.

             In the moments after you've downed your umteenth serving of turkey on Thanksgiving day, the Christmas rush (read: insanity) begins. It is a whirl of Madison avenue marketing wizardry, shopping for must have items, writing cards, attending parties and yes, even more eating. It's as if Thanksgiving was not enough and it is simply an appetizer for the entire season.

              There is great joy in this season however, joy that can make you verklempt. Joy that can make you feel overcome but it has little if anything to do with the secular, material world. There is really nothing material about a babe in the womb and the beauty of birth and new life.  This is the real challenge of Christmas. To reconnect with the real meaning of Christmas, to allow God's presence into your daily routines so that you can actually feel the joy.

              Many years ago in a prayer group that I belonged to, we prayed on this very topic. We were directed to try and think what task, what stood in the way of allowing ourselves to feel the joy of Christmas. At the time I found writing Christmas cards to be a burden, a chore and something that was standing in the way of a genuine joyful season. So I gave it up. No Christmas cards that year at all. Perhaps that was a bit selfish and I am sure some people wonder what happened to me.

           We need to take whatever steps are necessary to make this a joyous Holyday and not just a hectic Holiday. Think about it, talk to God about it and make your own decision as to what you need to do (or not do).

Mary set out

and traveled to the hill country in haste

to a town of Judah,

where she entered the house of Zechariah

and greeted Elizabeth.

When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting,

the infant leaped in her womb,

and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit,

cried out in a loud voice and said,

"Most blessed are you among women,

and blessed is the fruit of your womb.

And how does this happen to me,

that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears,

the infant in my womb leaped for joy.

Blessed are you who believed

that what was spoken to you by the Lord

would be fulfilled."

And Mary said:

"My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;

my spirit rejoices in God my savior."

Advent day 10

Matthew 18:12-14        Advent day 10

          This reading is precious. Jesus, always one to upset the apple cart, push the envelope, befriend the outcasts of his time, stand up to the religious authorities and show love for all people, great and small, is still doing a fine job today in this reading.

           This is the time of joy for all but there's a tinge of irony in the air. Many will scoff at the Catholics that certainly come out of the woodwork at this time of year, the church's "lost sheep" if you will. Many will bemoan the crowds at midnight Mass with all of the good CAPE Catholics in attendance. Can't you hear it? "I wish the church was this full all year long". "These once a year Catholics make me sick". "Excuse me, that's MY pew!"  I'm not making this stuff up. I've heard worse as both an usher and reverend. No one is immune even though many of the people uttering such things really are good and decent people.  They perceive an iniquity in someone who rarely attends and being received on the same level as them at the table of the Lord when they are always attending, week after week, if not day after day.

               Surprise! Jesus has got news for everyone in this reading. I am sure you can draw the implications. Jesus welcomes even the seeming "unchurched"and the poor attenders at his table.

            This Advent as you try to prepare and think about the journey we are all on and the gift we are being given in the birth of our Lord, please know you are welcome in God's house. You should put your shoulders back and your head high because if you are the one lost sheep out of the 99, Jesus is not happy to see you, He is crying tears of joy to see you. While you walk shoulders back and head high, should you feel the need to lower your eyes for some self reflection or something you feel be bad about, go right ahead. We are after all on a journey to wholeness. But don't lower those eyes for long, be sure to quickly raise your eyes again to heaven in glory and thanksgiving for the gift we have received and we celebrate in Advent and at Christmas.

            Know that you are always welcome in God's house.

Jesus said to his disciples:

"What is your opinion?

If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray,

will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills

and go in search of the stray?

And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he rejoices more over it

than over the ninety-nine that did not stray.

In just the same way, it is not the will of your heavenly Father

that one of these little ones be lost."

Advent day 9

Luke 5:17-26          Advent day 9

         There is an arrogance sometimes in organized religions, as if what they say is the word of God in an unbroken chain that no one else can command. We all can hear the word of God. God is constantly trying to communicate with us. However fallible we are, God chooses to speak with us because he loves us. He created us. A danger that we have and that organized religions have is that they interpret and decide what is supposed to be the definitive word of God.  This is how the world has wound up with so many religions. This is how we have wound up with Christianity in schism with countless denominations.

          We get a hint of what I am talking about in this reading.  Jesus tells a paralyzed man his sins are forgiven. The Pharisees are indignant that he should say such a thing. Who is he anyway? Then Jesus really reaches into his pocket for a curve ball and heals the man so that he can walk. Jesus raises the ante.  Look, God is not bound by anything, least of which is what man says.

            Every indication is that we have a creator who is loving, merciful, forgiving and in point of fact, was willing to - and  did - die on a cross for each and every one of us. Jesus' whole life was a revelation of what God is. He rebuked the arrogance of the Pharisees and showed by example how loving, inclusive and forgiving he is.

           Of course God might never have been known as our loving God with the attributes I point out if Jesus had not come and walked the earth among us, to be one of us.  What a gift that is to us. Can we comprehend that for every single human experience, emotion, want and need, Jesus gave us the gift of knowing that he too understands?

          Star of wonder, star of night, star of royal beauty bright.  Something to think about for today, this 9th day of Advent. God walking along side us on our journey because he knows everything there is to know and has experienced it, just as we are today. What a gift, an Advent present.

One day as Jesus was teaching,

Pharisees and teachers of the law,

who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and Jerusalem,

were sitting there,

and the power of the Lord was with him for healing.

And some men brought on a stretcher a man who was paralyzed;

they were trying to bring him in and set him in his presence.

But not finding a way to bring him in because of the crowd,

they went up on the roof

and lowered him on the stretcher through the tiles

into the middle in front of Jesus.

When Jesus saw their faith, he said,

"As for you, your sins are forgiven."

Then the scribes and Pharisees began to ask themselves,

"Who is this who speaks blasphemies?

Who but God alone can forgive sins?"

Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them in reply,

"What are you thinking in your hearts?

Which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,'

or to say, 'Rise and walk?'

But that you may know

that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins?"

he said to the one who was paralyzed,

"I say to you, rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home."

He stood up immediately before them,

picked up what he had been lying on,

and went home, glorifying God.

Then astonishment seized them all and they glorified God,

and, struck with awe, they said,

"We have seen incredible things today."