Embarrassingly large

       I am possessed to meditate this morning on the state of of being a human being. I have long held that to be fully human will make us fully alive and what God has created us for and called us to be. This is the essence to me of why The Word became flesh, truly flesh and blood and lived among us, one of us in everything. Yet today this passage speaks of not taking the human view.

       I am still convinced as much as ever that we are called to the fullness of humanity. That includes steps and missteps, but also learning and loving. It also includes an embarrassingly large amount of loving. Not a large amount, but an embarrassingly large amount. Why stress that extra word?

        Jesus lived and loved as we did. But If I can use a simple analogy, he wore better glasses than we do. He had better vision. He saw his humanity and embraced it but saw well beyond humanity as well. He saw heaven, He saw eternal life. He saw things we are not capable of understanding or perhaps even seeing as humans. Jesus straddled both, humanity and divinity.

        In our own divinity, or what we are capable of seeing of it, we are made in God's image. We are called to be fully human, but also to see and seek out our divine nature as well. The divine nature is not simply a large amount of loving by God but an embarrassingly large amount. I often refer to this fact, that God loves us with reckless abandon.  More love than we can comprehend as humans.  It is justice that is not human justice. It is forgiveness that far exceeds human forgiveness. It is love that is so great it speaks of a new creation, the Trinity; it speaks to us as new beings, beyond humanity.

       Somewhere in the midst of our humanity, in the depths of pain, in the love, in the sorrow and in our daily living, we catch glimpses of the divinity in us and others and all that surrounds us. Everyone and everything is created in Gods likeness. It is for us to see in the reveling and fulfillment of our own humanity. Being present to ourselves, life and others helps us get into focus the things that we cannot see clearly now but that we are clearly destined for.     

2 Corinthians 5:16-6:2

 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.

As we work together with him, we urge you also not to accept the grace of God in vain. For he says,
‘At an acceptable time I have listened to you,
   and on a day of salvation I have helped you.’
See, now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation!

Sage advice

       One of life's newest pastimes or social duties is scrolling through FaceBook posts.  It is always an interesting snippet of life, frustration, joy and family and faith. Sometimes, all rolled into one!  Every so often someone will offer up a quote or advice by some sage person or another. Invariably a path to better living or a call to act on a higher plane. 

        It seems that there are so many people who are disheartened  by organized religions. No longer are religions viewed as the definitive source of sage advice, wisdom and certainly not a guaranteed source of morality. A growing number of people claim to be religious but find so much of organized religion as hypocritical if not down right evil. We need look no further than the Westboro Baptist Church or the heinous acts of the Roman Catholic church or the pseudo Christians supporting the current President of the United States. Those faithful put aside any and all of his barbaric, deceitful and anti-Christian actions as acceptable to their cause.  Yikes! It's no wonder people are strolling out of organized religion.

       I would assure anyone that walking out of church is not the answer. Seeking a church that speaks and acts to the life and values of Jesus or Buddha or Mohamed is a more reasonable course of action. No legitimate religion or sect advocates hate, judgment or self righteous hypocrisy. No legitimate religion makes you deny who God made you to be.

       So what is a person to do, especially when you have been raised in one of these aforementioned blasphemous and errant religions?  Like I said, look around. You do not have to be a self loathing gay person for example by continuing in the Roman church. Their very doctrine labels gay people as "intrinsically disordered". The Anglican or Episcopal church is by far a finer and more accurate representation of what a church and religion of Jesus Christ should be.

       By attending and maintaining attendance at a religious worship you gain some very important things. One is that you do not deny the benefit others get by your own attendance. Do not minimize the value you hold in your journey and witness to faith. No one is perfect but our witness and struggles should be an example for so many others who share similar journeys and similar feelings. Dismissing organized religion cuts us off from valuable resources, structure and  growth. 

         Back to sage advice now, today we receive our it from Sirach.  This could easily be posted on FaceBook to everyone as a good way of living. This is a recipe (however partial), to make us better people and to create a better world. 

        FaceBook might have it's ups and downs but Scripture is rich for all to learn from, no matter what religion we are speaking of.  

    

Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) 3: 3 - 7, 14 - 17a

Those who honor their father atone for sins,

and those who respect their mother are like those who lay up treasure.

Those who honor their father will have joy in their own children,

and when they pray they will be heard.

Those who respect their father will have long life,

and those who honor their mother obey the Lord;

they will serve their parents as their masters. 

For kindness to a father will not be forgotten,

and will be credited to you against your sins;

in the day of your distress it will be remembered in your favor;

like frost in fair weather, your sins will melt away.

Whoever forsakes a father is like a blasphemer,

and whoever angers a mother is cursed by the Lord. 

Humility 

My child, perform your tasks with humility; 

then you will be loved by those whom God accepts. 

Fact based evidence

       One of the things about the human mind, we really do have an innate sense of trial and error. We do tend to seek answers and and to that end we seek evidence and make judgments. Science to me is all about the discovery of God by human beings with relatively feeble minds.  All one need do is note the percentage of people that still think the earth is flat or that the moon landing is a hoax.  Even while we seek evidence, we are quick to jump to conclusions. Why let little old facts get in the way. Really. 

       When I come out to someone and note that I am gay and further perhaps that I am married, I am sure a whole range of different thoughts may come to mind.  One of those might be all the filthy things 'we do' or that it is such a disgusting 'lifestyle'. I don't find these kind of ridiculous judgments helpful or acceptable any more than thinking about one's own parents having sex is acceptable. What people do or don't do is none of my business nor anyone else's.

         I could make the same kind of judgment about the 'straight lifestyle' what with the divorce rate, infidelity, adultery, one nights stands, porn and casual sex.  In a less voyeuristic vane, what judgments do we make on scant evidence?  I have heard people use the word 'always' when relaying a story about someone else. Faulty proclamations based on false evidence and little evidence.  I think this kind of thing used to be called gossip and it isn't a good thing at all.

        In today's passage, Jesus is judged. Surely he cannot be the Messiah because he does not come from this place or that place.  How is it that they 'know' exactly where a person is from?  Is it possible they might be holding erroneous beliefs about a prophet? Could a poor judgment be the basis for their objection?  Do we know more than God?

          When God entreats us to love one another as I have loved you, are there stipulations attached?  In our thirst for so called knowledge, do we place our own judgments ahead of God's? Just because we do not understand something does not give us the right to make summary judgments against people, races, religions or alternate sexualities.  

        While we use our brains to seek God in evidence and science, let us never use that 'knowledge' as a basis for hate or misunderstanding. The thing about science and knowledge is that the more we know, the more we realize we don't know. The only thing we can be absolutely certain of is that God loves us and the entirety of creation, no more and no less than us. We may not understand it, but it is so.  If you want evidence, I can only point to the willingness of Jesus to allow himself to be flogged, whipped spat upon and nailed to a cross - for all of us.  That is evidence I can abide in.

John 7:37-52

 On the last day of the festival, the great day, while Jesus was standing there, he cried out, ‘Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink. As the scripture has said, “Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water.” ’ Now he said this about the Spirit, which believers in him were to receive; for as yet there was no Spirit, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

 When they heard these words, some in the crowd said, ‘This is really the prophet.’ Others said, ‘This is the Messiah.’ But some asked, ‘Surely the Messiah does not come from Galilee, does he? Has not the scripture said that the Messiah is descended from David and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David lived?’ So there was a division in the crowd because of him. Some of them wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him.

 Then the temple police went back to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, ‘Why did you not arrest him?’ The police answered, ‘Never has anyone spoken like this!’ Then the Pharisees replied, ‘Surely you have not been deceived too, have you? Has any one of the authorities or of the Pharisees believed in him? But this crowd, which does not know the law—they are accursed.’ Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus before, and who was one of them, asked, ‘Our law does not judge people without first giving them a hearing to find out what they are doing, does it?’ They replied, ‘Surely you are not also from Galilee, are you? Search and you will see that no prophet is to arise from Galilee.’ 

Fabulous Fabiola

       Someone once noted to me one of the differences between Europeans or Italy and the United States. I think we were discussing the legal systems of each. Specifically, the attitude of the people of each culture to laws.  What I was told as an example, is the use of stop signs or red lights in traffic. In the United states you stop at a stop sign. Even those that 'roll' through feel that they have somehow stopped. In Italy though ( they said ) such traffic signs were suggestions, a mere recommendation.  So the difference in cultures was said to be that the USA was much more legalistic. 

       As I had been married before ( to a woman ), had been a Roman Catholic Deacon, and now married to a 'gentleman', I am acutely aware of the legalistic nature of life here in these United States, especially as it relates to the Roman Catholic church. I did receive a blistering letter speaking about my ordination and noted that I had "attempted to marry another gentleman". Well, I succeeded and of course I am now persona non grata in the Roman Church. None of this was done by me on a whim needless to say and I felt compelled out of respect to be completely forthright and honest with that church out of respect. It is utterly sad and ironic that the respect is not mutual. Please note that I speak of the doctrinal hierarchical Roman church. Many real Catholics have been loving, embracing and disagree with the Roman view of (many ) things.

            What has my mind stirring is Saint Fabiola, who died on this date in the year 399.  Fabiola did great good and like so many faithful, searched in earnest to deepen her faith and serve God's people. The sticking point for me is the fact that she had gotten a legal divorce and had entered into a 'second union'. Married again? Is that a Roman euphemism for a second marriage like 'attempting to marry another gentleman' was a euphemism for  current marriage.

           What this is telling me from the benefit of the Episcopalian book of holy peopleand holy lives is that God is perhaps not as legalistic as we might be. Just as we try to define and contain God's love in our rules and rubrics, so also God does not feel compelled to honour man made laws that stifle life and love and put limitations on human service in His name.  By all accounts Fabiola led an interesting and holy life. It is a blessing beyond measure that  humans did not erase her love of God and negate her service because she might not have measured up to the rules set forth by men in the name of God. Maybe the Roman church was not always so legaistic and heartless. Maybe it is something unique to the Roman Church in the United States or that has developed in that church long after Fabiola served in God's name.

            I do not accept the findings or judgments of the Roman Church on their view of my life.  I am loved and encouraged by my sacramental life in the Episcopal church. 
I encourage everyone who is marginalized or excommunicated by any Church, especially the Roman church, not to give up on God. God still loves you with an enormity that we cannot even comprehend.  Aim our lives toward God no matter what men of impotent power and bankrupt morals say. 

       Live, love and serve God.

Another blessed season

       Today is the first day of Kwanzaa.  As a white male Christian I hold an erroneous position of power and Kwanzaa was not something I was ever taught about. It seems odd especially since I grew up in a predominantly black neighborhood. I should not know Kwanzaa as 'a black thing'. The fact that it is so rich in heritage and love makes me feel a ashamed that I am so ignorant of it. I do note that the celebration culminates in gift giving. This seems to be a trademark of many celebrations at this time of year. Unfortunately, sometimes the gift giving becomes the major focus of the season, overwhelming it. The holidays are co-opted by Madison Avenue to encourage us to buy, buy, buy! and Charge! Charge! Charge!

       It is no wonder that many people heave a giant sigh of relief when Advent ends and it is Christmas Day. I am reminded that Christmas is not the end of Advent though. Christmas begins a new and glorious season. Now the challenge is to try and not focus on the new stuff we may have gotten and focus on God and ourselves as gifts of God. Perhaps we should focus on the things judiciously and try to focus on the Christmas Season at hand right now. The new 'toys' are a mere distraction whether they be from Hanukkah, Christmas or the impending end of Kwanzaa on January first.

         If society has sent us all astray it is in the notion that things will make us complete or make us happier.They will not. The cacophony of bells and shopping, the insanity of the Advent season are symptoms of that in a way. In another way I am reminded of it all in today's passage. St. Stephan is traditionally held as the first Deacon and first martyr of the church. The times in Jerusalem and of the new Judeo-Christians was a time fraught with upheaval. It would be difficult to focus on much more than survival. The forces at play were formidable and ferocious; the dangers real and quite palpable. Stephan was stoned to death and if not at the direct hands of, certainly with knowledge and approval of Saul ( our dearly beloved Paul ). Horrible times. Insane times. Ok, considerably worse than any holiday insanity.  Perhaps only a few steps beyond the political insanity of our present days.

        As Christmas begins, the challenges to us are as real as they ever were for people of faith, let us stay fast to the course of our beliefs. Materialism will suck the Spirit from you. Anger and hate are manifestations that are not of the Spirit but of evil and ignorance, sometimes willful ignorance.

        Just as we 'made time' to shop and bake cookies, run from party to party and spend time cleaning and primping ourselves, we now should realize we can in fact have the time to devote to ourselves spiritually. We can be attentive to God, to ourselves, to the Spirit. This is not the end of Advent. This is the beginning of the real Christmas season. The real gift is ourselves and taking the time to unwrap it.

Acts 7:59-8:8

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. And Saul approved of their killing him.

That day a severe persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout the countryside of Judea and Samaria. Devout men buried Stephen and made loud lamentation over him. But Saul was ravaging the church by entering house after house; dragging off both men and women, he committed them to prison.

 Now those who were scattered went from place to place, proclaiming the word. Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed the Messiahto them. The crowds with one accord listened eagerly to what was said by Philip, hearing and seeing the signs that he did, for unclean spirits, crying with loud shrieks, came out of many who were possessed; and many others who were paralysed or lame were cured. So there was great joy in that city.

Just a baby

       Man, o man am I gay. I am half asleep here, avant café, reading from Revelation and what does my mind come up with? Johnny Cammareri! "He's a baby!" If you don't know the reference, treat yourself to watching a true classic, Moonstruck. Quotes for every moment of life and apparently, for this mornings readings from the Hours.

      The passage that we read from Revelation seems in order for Christmas eve. It says 'see, I am coming soon'. This passage seems well suited to those churches where fire and brimstone is preached, God as an accountant of sins and self righteousness and hate prevail. Those churches exist.  But let's not let us put the cart before the horse. However inspired this passage may be, it is not speaking of the incarnation. It is not speaking of the baby Jesus. Can we just focus on baby Jesus first? It is Christmas eve! 

       In my mind, the line spoken by Vincent Gardenia as Cosmo Castorini about Johnny Cammareri is actually, "He's just a baby".  Its Christmas time and we are celebrating the birth of Christ. He's just a baby and yet, not just a baby. Christmas is speaking to something so simple. Long before Christianity seemed to go haywire with hate, rules and rubrics, self righteousness and mandatory manifestations of piety, there was ( is ) the simplicity of the baby Jesus. We tend to make things more complex than they need to be at times. Baby Jesus is one of them. God became man. Theology aside, not too complex. The message is just as simple.  Our salvation is in our humanity, as simple as a baby.  We are to be what God created us to be. A human of course, then what else?  Gay? Straight?  Where do our talents lie?  As we grown we learn, discern, love and earn. But we are firs that baby, as simple and pure and filled with potential as the baby Jesus. A blank slate where our biggest concern should be mirroring love, playing peek-a-boo and having no concern over what the next meal is or that the stroller I am in is a Mima Xari or Stokke Trailz.  None of that matters! How do we convey in the simplest terms the love and purity of God's love? A baby.

       When we start to get older, there will be other things to learn but a baby, The baby Jesus, is perhaps the best way to bring us back to what is truly important and that God loves us on the absolutely and most fundamental of levels, no questions asked, it's as simple as that. Just a baby.

         Now, if you want to get into the theology of the incarnation and the life of Christ? A noble effort perhaps and well worth the journey of discovery. Then Jesus is not just a baby. For now? Jesus as just a baby. Simple. Pure. Loving. Adorable. Gift extraordinaire! 

            

Revelation 22:12-17,21

 ‘See, I am coming soon; my reward is with me, to repay according to everyone’s work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.’ 

 Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they will have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by the gates. Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and fornicators and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practises falsehood.

 ‘It is I, Jesus, who sent my angel to you with this testimony for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.’ 
The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come.’
And let everyone who hears say, ‘Come.’
And let everyone who is thirsty come.
Let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift.

 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all the saints. Amen.

Magnificat and more

       Once again I am waxing nostalgic over this reading today. The times this was chanted by we seminarians in chapel for evening prayer was glorious. And that my friends, is how you get distracted. This is how one can fail to be present in the moment of every day life and living. Being present at this time of year is especially important. The readings today speak volumes to us and it is virtual symphony of the glory of God in the incarnation.

       Each passage today ( Micah 5:2-5, Hebrews 10:5-10, Luke 1:39-56 ) speaks volumes to our beliefs and the real message of the incarnation and God's love for us. The themes that permeate the readings today speak of utter simplicity, of salvation and answers to our clamoring for peace and justice. They speak of complete and boundless love that God has for each and every one of us.  There is no room for haughtiness, worldliness, no will to power, no rules to restrain. God's love is, and so our love should also be,  complete, satisfying, in the moment love, generous, fulfilling and completely glorious.

        If we were madly in love with someone and were to compose the worlds greatest love song or poem, that is a mere glimpse of the love God has for us. For God entered this world not as a Trump, or a great military leader or almost anything that the world measures as rich and powerful, it is the exact opposite that God has done. God enters into our every day humanity and stays in the moment for us at all times, living and loving, sharing in all the simple and ordinary stuff of our lives to show us how to live and exalt our own very existence.  Truly magnificent - Magnificat! 

Magnificat  

Luke 1:46‑55

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,

my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; 

   for he has looked with favor on 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, 

   he 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 has remembered his promise of mercy, 

The promise he made to our fathers, 

   to Abraham and his children for ever

Looking north

      This may be a generalization but it seems so accurate and the evidence is there. The United States is the epitome of sanctimonious self righteousness and hatred, self serving narrow minded interpretations of scripture that blurs the line between church and state. Sadly, I make this statement without even the consideration of the current President who would woefully skew the statement almost to proven fact. 

       I read in the news this week that the Royal Canadian Mint is set to release new Loonie commemorating 50 years of the decriminalization of homosexuality. Wow. Canadians are so far ahead, especially of the United States. Canadians are the eloquent big brother to the younger brash, bold and bad southerly sibling.

       What brings this up is not just the way our governments work but also how we practice our faith. That came up this morning as I read the story of our holy person for today,  Ruth Elaine Younger.  Born of an interracial marriage, she was not welcome to join a religious order here in the States because of racial bias that existed.  Ruth was welcome in Canada. Imagine that? Ruth returned to NYC many years later after receiving multiple degrees and professing life vows in the Canadian Sisterhood of St. John the Divine.  Sr. Ruth opened a school in New York which had a fully integrated staff and student body, it flourished with her as headmistress.

        I am proud of both my Canadian heritage and the faith that was handed down to me.  We must find ways to circumvent and prevent the use of religiosity and arrogant self righteousness that feeds a denigration of souls, that demeans the term Christian and causes a whole nation to whither. It is if we are poisoning a beautiful and magnificent tree so filled with the promise of good fruit. 

         For a fine example look all around and seek understanding but certainly, look north.

        As always love fiercely and give thanks.

Bread crumbs to God.

       A truly wonderful and interesting time of year. So many religions have placed their claims on this season as if to draw attention to the truth that they hold.  I am not sure if it is by a universal  human yearning, by design or competition but so many peoples' hearts speak of love and peace during this season. 

        I am confounded by those people that claim that there is no God.  I am of the opinion that what they are actually saying is not so much about believing but  that there should be no religion or that they completely disagree with what man has done. Man tries to define God, put their own limits on God and have done enormously heinous things in the name of God. I'd agree, that God is one I also have no interest in. 

         But it seems to me that everyone recognizes that there is a fundamental question about origins of humanity, the world or the universe. That ever evolving unanswered question can easily ( to my mind ) be labelled as God. In that sense I do not believe there is anyone that is a true atheist. 

         When Job speaks of counsel without knowledge, I am thinking about the guidance of a greater power and how we are given snippets of understanding.  It would make no sense to discuss mesons and muons to the ancient Israelites or any other of our ancestors. This is why every culture or civilization has a creation story or myth. We seek to understand, we seek knowledge and reason.  It is God that we seek, it is God that completes us.

       Part of our answer is in our very own humanity, who we are and what we are. The answer to that is tricky. rules and rubrics can lead us stray. The answer is for God to take on our humanity and guide us.  Throw humanity some bread crumbs to follow and give us the Spirit to guide us further in knowledge and love.

         In a few days we will celebrate Christmas. Jesus is our answer in all his humanity and divinity.  That is the essence of Christmas.  The gift of God's guidance and love to us. 

Job 42:1-6

Then Job answered the Lord: 
‘I know that you can do all things,
   and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. 
“Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?”
Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand,
   things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. 
“Hear, and I will speak;
   I will question you, and you declare to me.” 
I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear,
   but now my eye sees you; 
therefore I despise myself,
   and repent in dust and ashes.’ 

Sex and supervision

     On some rare occasions I get the desire to listen to the LGBTQ comedy station on the radio.  Some of it is a bit raw but there are also some very intellectual and astute individuals that can view almost anything with a comedic eye rendering lessons for all. One woman posited how many times the Bible mentions or puts strictures on heterosexual sex. The same question was placed on homosexual relations mentioned in Scripture. Same sex relations are infrequently noted, though there are some real elegant ones such as David & Jonathan or Ruth & Naomi ( feast day, Dec.20 ). But by and large any mention of same sex relations is viewed as a stricture against and is often misquoted and does not note a real loving homosexual relationship. That is, it speaks of sodomy or rape which is not a same sex loving, consensual, committed relationship.  The truth is, there are far more strictures placed on heterosexual activity in scripture than homosexual. The comedienne noted that it isn't that God loves one more than the other, it's just that heterosexuals seem to require a great deal more supervision. I found the routine very enlightening and funny.

       In today's passage from the second Epistle of Peter, sexual behaviour seems to be a primary focus.  It notes behaviour that is irrational, depraved, 'pleasure to revel', adultery and so on. No mention of homos or hetero's though the notation of adultery leads one to judge he is speaking about the behaviour once again, of heterosexuals.  One need only look at the historical list of concubines, adultery, rape and so forth to make your own judgment about 'breeders'. Today the onset of titty bars and one night stands are also associated much more with the straight lifestyle. There is no specific mention of errant homosexual actions, let alone a gay loving relationship. I would note though the Centurion and his 'pais' as a model of a loving gay relationship that Jesus did not seem fit to judge or even comment on.

         This is not a tome on the behaviour of straight or gay people. It is a commentary that no matter who you are, you are called to loving, consensual and decent behaviour. Lust, rape, casual sexual encounters for immediate gratification have no place in my mind of what God intends us to do with our precious gift of sexuality.

        When we count our blessings and gifts from God during this holy season, our sexuality is one that should not be ignored but revelled in judiciously. 

        For myself, I will say, Ahhh-men and also, Amen!

2 Peter 2:10-16

—especially those who indulge their flesh in depraved lust, and who despise authority.

Bold and wilful, they are not afraid to slander the glorious ones, whereas angels, though greater in might and power, do not bring against them a slanderous judgement from the Lord. These people, however, are like irrational animals, mere creatures of instinct, born to be caught and killed. They slander what they do not understand, and when those creatures are destroyed, they also will be destroyed, suffering the penalty for doing wrong. They count it a pleasure to revel in the daytime. They are blots and blemishes, revelling in their dissipation while they feast with you. They have eyes full of adultery, insatiable for sin. They entice unsteady souls. They have hearts trained in greed. Accursed children!They have left the straight road and have gone astray, following the road of Balaam son of Bosor, who loved the wages of doing wrong, but was rebuked for his own transgression; a speechless donkey spoke with a human voice and restrained the prophet’s madness.

The Original Jewish mother and hunky Jesus

       At the start of that classic movie, The Quiet Man, the narrator starts the movie by saying  "I'll begin at the begin'n".  Each of the 4 Gospels has a different beginning. Each written with a specific audience in mind and its own rich point of view.  This is good because none of us see things the same way and we need different views and messages at different points in our lives.

     Mark starts his Gospel well past any childhood stories or youthful offenses that could have occurred. No early stories of Jesus here. No genealogy. I could suggest looking at other non-canonical Gospels for stories about Jesus' youth or for some entertainment, read Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal.  But that is a pleasant digression. Or is it?

       As a prelude to Christmas in these last days of Advent, it is not enough in my mind to start with the ministry of John the baptizer.  The beginning starts with the tiniest of babies in that humbling and vulnerable manger. This is how God chose to enter into our humanity and it bears noting in the strongest ways.  Diaper changes  ( of whatever variety they had then ), baby poo and goo, real life. This can't be minimized. Nor can we minimize the childhood of Jesus who experienced all the stuff we experienced including skinned knees, playing and being gently ( firmly?) redirected in his actions by his fine and quintessentially Jewish mother, Mary. This is why I love Biff. It speaks to a side of Jesus' humanity that we do not often speak of or understand. As adults we confront the pain and separation that Jesus suffered when he died.  The pain resonates with us because we experience it in our own lives so we can feel Jesus' pain. But do we acknowledge or fully embrace the fact that Jesus was a baby, a kid, an adolescent, a young man and then a real man.  Some try to grasp this, however irreverently with the hunky Jesus contests but really, Jesus was a fine Jewish man. How could I of all people have not fallen in love with a fine Jewish man of my own being the good catholic boy that I am?

       In these last days of Advent, I think a nice opportunity for meditation and appreciation of this season lies in the actual young life of our Christ. How did Jesus live, grow up and mature? What did he know and if so, when did he know it?  As a human, was he subject to the same growth and aha moments we are? Did he struggle with his sexuality, straight or gay? After all, a thirty-three year old single Jewish man? Really? Sounds suspicious. Perhaps even more so back in the day. Lets take time to think about the whole life of Jesus and note he shared in our humanity to the full.

         And never forget to love and give thanks.

Mark 1:1-8

The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

 As it is written in the prophet Isaiah,
‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
   who will prepare your way; 
the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
   “Prepare the way of the Lord,
   make his paths straight” ’, 
John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, ‘The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.’

Little Catholic boy, big catholic boy

       You can take the boy out of the (Roman) Catholic church, but you can't take the Catholic church out of the boy.  For good and/or bad, a lens I will probably always apply the stuff I was taught as a Roman Catholic. That is, at the very least, 20 solid years of formal education so the indoctrination is well established. It probably also accounts for why my anger at times is so deep when seeing their abundant faults. What brings this up is twofold. The readings this morning from Luke speak about sin, a denial of Christ. It is not done in a doctrinal way but rather a metaphysical way. Pretty deep for a scripture passage.

       So the first note is when Peter says "Man" in his denial of knowing or being part of Jesus' entourage.  I am pretty certain that the exact word was not "man" in the original text but probably something very close in intent. It speaks not only to the crowd but also from Peter. A denial of Jesus. isn't that what sin is all about? It is our turning away from God, negating 'the plan', denying our own essence.  Peter does a fine job of denial and his remorse is quick.

       Then I think of our personal denials of God. When have we said no to God? Have we ever turned our back and gone the wrong way with intention? Then the Roman boy returns and I begin to qualify sin. Venial or mortal little boy, which is it?  If I recall my reasonings from school, mortal is the more serious because it is (a) intentional and more so, (b) it involves a matter of graveness. Graveness involving, such things as life , death, The Spirit or something of that nature. Not simply stealing a candy bar as a kid or telling a lie. The little Catholic boy might say a mortal sin is turning your back on God, shutting and locking the door behind you and walking away. The big catholic boy would say, a serious abrogation of our relationship with our Creator. You can delve into the nitty gritty of sins for yourself.

        The essence of today's passage when Peter says "‘Man, I do not know what you are talking about! ", is a rehash of our being thrown out of the Garden of Eden. It is the reason Jesus is going to willingly be placed on the Cross and die for us. It is our human frailty and penchant for saying no to God. It is sin. Peter is responding for all of humanity. NO! I don't know Him.

          What a great passage even while it speaks to our weakness .  But there is the hope and answer in Jesus. This passage speaks to the time when Jesus will die for us. Equally as important is the time that Jesus is born for us. What incredible hope. The hope of a new child, new life, new opportunity. This week one of my nieces announced that she and her husband are expecting. Joyous!  Are we filled with hope at the news? You bet!  A new baby is all about new beginnings, it takes a community to raise one, it's about the hope and faith in God. Can we grasp a piece of the hope and love of God this Advent?  We do not have to turn our backs on God to keep this season Holy.  Just ask yourself, who is number one?

Luke 22:54-69

 Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest’s house. But Peter was following at a distance. When they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat among them. Then a servant-girl, seeing him in the firelight, stared at him and said, ‘This man also was with him.’ But he denied it, saying, ‘Woman, I do not know him.’ A little later someone else, on seeing him, said, ‘You also are one of them.’ But Peter said, ‘Man, I am not!’ Then about an hour later yet another kept insisting, ‘Surely this man also was with him; for he is a Galilean.’ But Peter said, ‘Man, I do not know what you are talking about!’ At that moment, while he was still speaking, the cock crowed. The Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him, ‘Before the cock crows today, you will deny me three times.’ And he went out and wept bitterly.

 Now the men who were holding Jesus began to mock him and beat him;they also blindfolded him and kept asking him, ‘Prophesy! Who is it that struck you?’ They kept heaping many other insults on him.

 When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people, both chief priests and scribes, gathered together, and they brought him to their council. They said, ‘If you are the Messiah, tell us.’ He replied, ‘If I tell you, you will not believe; and if I question you, you will not answer. But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.’

It's baby Jesus simple.

       There is something incredibly unencumbered about being a baby. There are no concerns except feed me and perhaps hold me, let me sleep and let me poop.  Simple agenda. As we get older our lives get considerably more complex, especially if you are the parent of that child.  Things to do, places to go, diapers to change, then doctors, schools, plays, sports, your own life of course - and work too!  We won;t even get to stuff we worry about. I caught a glimpse, remembering, watching my grandchildren one day and I could barely keep up.  How did I do it?  Having no choice and being the guy at the top of the responsibility heap helps for sure.  But what of our frenetic lives? Can we slow down, even in this time of peace, hope and love we call Advent?  It seems it would be a no brainer considering that we are celebrating the simplicity and awesome love of a baby, Jesus.

          I know quite a few who seek ways to simplify the holidays, less cards, shopping via Amazon or sending to charities in someones name as a gift.  That can only go so far to alleviate the pace of our already hectic lives.

         One of the things that I noted after leaving my ministry as a Deacon in the Roman church was that my life seemed much more simplified. I rarely had the sleeping Apostle syndrome that is highlighted in today's passage. I didn't fear falling asleep at the wheel as I ran from so many places to so many other places.  I assure you that many things in my life suffered as a result of my ministry. Maybe we are not called to do it all.

         Perhaps it is a suburban disease that has you trying to be a jack of all trades ( and master of none ).  You get caught up in doing it all and that is even worse perhaps if you are a minister. How do we slow down?  If we are preparing for Christmas we are hopefully on the right track to preparation and a change in our life. I would note that it is a good time to emulate the baby Jesus in simplicity and trying to come to grips with what is making our lives so hectic. Do we have to do it all? Can we live a life worth living and not be falling asleep at the wheel? 

             Perhaps we can think about what it is we want to do, what we want to accomplish in life. We should not be like kids in a candy shop who wants it all. We should sit down and decide what it is we want to do, simplify our lives. If focusing on our domestic church (family) is our goal then focus on that. Do not stretch yourself thin in other areas.  The Kingdom of God is perhaps better served by loving and living in a smaller circle that painting a thin veil of love all over the place.

            These are my thoughts as I recall what it is like to try and stay awake while seemingly trying to conquer the world in God's name. Simplify. Simplify. Love to the max!

Luke 22:39-53

 He came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples followed him. When he reached the place, he said to them, ‘Pray that you may not come into the time of trial.’ Then he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and prayed, ‘Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done.’ [[ Then an angel from heaven appeared to him and gave him strength. In his anguish he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down on the ground.]] When he got up from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping because of grief, and he said to them, ‘Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not come into the time of trial.’

 While he was still speaking, suddenly a crowd came, and the one called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him; but Jesus said to him, ‘Judas, is it with a kiss that you are betraying the Son of Man?’ When those who were around him saw what was coming, they asked, ‘Lord, should we strike with the sword?’ Then one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus said, ‘No more of this!’ And he touched his ear and healed him.Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple police, and the elders who had come for him, ‘Have you come out with swords and clubs as if I were a bandit? When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness!’

Simple peace

     Oh how it piles up. The worries, the sorrows. The tasks to be done. The expectations, the show we must go on. The world seems to get heavier and heavier. These holy days, these days of Advent, cards to write presents to buy, for this person, for that person, don't forget so and so. This best time of the year seems to get weighted down to unbearable proportions.

      I can't even count on my birthday that is just around Christmas. My mother died on my birthday and a few years later, one of my brothers as well.  The weight could seem unbearable. For several years this time of year was the heaviest. I am somewhat embarrassed at how I felt though I am sure you might say it is understandable. The truth is I felt less centered, maybe even less appreciative. Distracted?  

       Today's passage gives me secure and steady advice. It is a reminder of how simple it all really is. Rejoice for the gifts you have already been graced with. Rejoice for the love of God who adores you.  Rejoice even for the times, however fleeting, that you have been graced with those you love. If you believe, if you give thanks, you know that the love is not over when someone dies or moves on. The love lives on in our heart and in our actions.  It really is that simple.

         The peace of God surpasses all understanding and all trials we could ever face.

       

Philippians 4:4-7

 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

We are all the "them" of righteousness

       I come to this position ( in life ) with a vast amount of experience. I worked very hard and have retired. I have loved and loved some more. I am blessed with children and grandchildren. I have done quite a varied number of things in life to support my family and 'get ahead'. I am neither proud of any 'accomplishments' nor saddened that there is something that I might have missed. I am blessed tenfold.

       I am aware that not everyone shares the same beliefs I do. I know I am far to the left on virtually any political spectrum. While conservative on some issues, I am for free love and acceptance of everyone. I am somewhat of  a conundrum for some people.  That's OK, the converse is also true. For example, I am loathe to explain or understand the vitriol and hate expressed by some people while simultaneously professing their faith in Jesus Christ. 

       Undoubtedly, this passage is used as a weapon by whom I would term 'pseudo-Christians' against so many who have challenging lives, are sickly, troubled or tortured, physically or emotionally. 'Get off your ass and get to work bucko!' I imagine their chants. No work, no charity.

        But wait, let's go back there Loretta. I know this is what Paul is saying but maybe this passage is taken out of context, mistranslated, misunderstood. And, what did Jesus say? What did Jesus do? Doesn't he get preeminence? I seem to recall the picture of a bum laying in a gutter with a dog licking his wounds. How did Jesus handle that situation?  Of course we could go back and forth. One person would whip out a passage to support their position, I could whip out another to support my position. Where would that get us?

        I have already posited ( in many previous posts ) that in any such case, love should be the arbiter. And then too, I read one of the last lines of this passage today. Do not regard them as enemies, but warn them as believers. That seem rather interesting to me. It speaks to a different dynamic.  No forced will. No demands. A loving nudge perhaps but no two-by-fours. An acceptance that there can be love and acceptance of differences within the same community of the same faith.

        We place our lives and spiritual inheritance in great peril when we judge, fail to love and make no effort to understand our brothers and sisters.  Righteousness can be a vicious thing. It most frequently is.

         In a season that we try to see hope and love, we might be well served to open our eyes and hearts to those we do not understand or Agree with. That may be the most hopeful gift that Jesus gives us.

2 Thessalonians 3:6-18

 Now we command you, beloved, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from believers who are living in idleness and not according to the tradition that they received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us; we were not idle when we were with you, and we did not eat anyone’s bread without paying for it; but with toil and labour we worked night and day, so that we might not burden any of you. This was not because we do not have that right, but in order to give you an example to imitate. For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: Anyone unwilling to work should not eat. For we hear that some of you are living in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work.Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. Brothers and sisters, do not be weary in doing what is right.

 Take note of those who do not obey what we say in this letter; have nothing to do with them, so that they may be ashamed. Do not regard them as enemies, but warn them as believers.

 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in all ways. The Lord be with all of you.

 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. This is the mark in every letter of mine; it is the way I write. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you.