Monthly Archives: December 2021

Leave no one behind

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Since the beginning of Advent this year we have heard from the Prophet Isaiah. The verses have all been brimming with Hope. Take today’s first reading. “The desert and the parched land will exult; the steppe will rejoice and bloom. They will bloom with abundant flowers, and rejoice with joyful song.” (Isa 35:1) Today’s reading continues that theme.

Isaiah’s time, like all epochs of history, shares something with our time in history. It has been hard times over the last several years because of the impact of the covid pandemic, the growing divide among Americans, and now the looming uncertainty of the omicron version of covid-19. We hunker down, we carry on, and we do what we can.  Some among us lead with Hope. Some among us have retreated into different kinds of shells, keeping the world at bay, keeping Hope at a distance.

To all who hope and carry on as we are called to do, Isaiah reminds us: “Strengthen the hands that are feeble, make firm the knees that are weak, Say to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear not!” (Isa 35:3-4). It is the “leave no one behind” call for our time, for all times.

Gaudete, Zephaniah and Joy

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This coming Sunday is the 3rd Sunday of Advent in Year C of the lectionary cycle. It is also known as Guadete Sunday. While the theme of Advent is a focus on the coming of Jesus in three ways: his first, his present, and his final Advent, the readings for Gaudete Sunday deal with rejoicing in the Lord – Christian joy – as well as the mission of John the Baptist and his connection with Advent. The theologian Henri Nouwen described the difference between joy and happiness. While happiness is dependent on external conditions, joy is “the experience of knowing that you are unconditionally loved and that nothing – sickness, failure, emotional distress, oppression, war, or even death – can take that love away.” Continue reading →

A still small voice

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In 1 Kings 19 we have Elijah the prophet on the run from the wrath of Queen Jezebel who has sent an army to track down and kill Elijah. He is hiding in cave wondering where is God in all this

Then the LORD said: Go out and stand on the mountain before the LORD; the LORD will pass by. There was a strong and violent wind rending the mountains and crushing rocks before the LORD—but the LORD was not in the wind; after the wind, an earthquake—but the LORD was not in the earthquake; after the earthquake, fire—but the LORD was not in the fire; after the fire, a light silent sound.” (1 Kings 19;11-12)

That is the New American Bible (NAB) translation. The other translations are quite similar, but the very last phrase has a lot of subtle variations:  “a still small voice”, “a low whisper” and others. The Hebrew word used demā·mā primarily means “a hush” or “a whisper.”

That comes to mind in today’s first reading from Isaiah: “While from behind, a voice shall sound in your ears: ‘This is the way; walk in it,’ when you would turn to the right or to the left.”

May we always and ever be open to that still small voice that speaks to us to keep us on the path of righteousness.

Preach or Woe

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Today is the Feast of St. Francis Xavier, the great Jesuit missionary of India and lands of the East. Back in 2013, I was driving back to the parish and heard on the radio that we had elected a new pope, a Jesuit who had taken the name Pope Francis. I just assumed it was in recognition of Francis Xavier, such was the saint’s statue and esteemed life among the Jesuit Order. It was beyond surprising to learn it was St. Francis of Assisi. Either one would have been a great and inspiring choice. Continue reading →

kosmos and oikoumene

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This coming Sunday is the Second Sunday of Advent in lectionary cycle C, the year when the Gospel of Luke is the primary source of our gospels. Today we continue to look at details of the narrative. In this final post, we look at the verses as Luke’s message pivots from the call of repentance to Israel, to a call of universal salvation for all people. Continue reading →

The Social Covenant

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Leonard Pitts of the Miami Herald penned an interesting article recently about the social covenant we all assume is in place. One might call them social norms, but it seems to me “covenant” is also an appropriate moniker because these norms speak to a connection between people. Pitts offers examples: “You don’t stand facing the back wall of an elevator. In heavy traffic, you take turns merging. You stop at the red light even when the street is deserted.” I am sure we can all add our own favorite covenantal norms. I would offer, “you don’t talk during a movie.” Continue reading →

Building a Life

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The scene in the first reading for today’s Mass is Isaiah speaking to a people in exile. It is a message that is surely suited to our Advent season as it is a message of Hope. Isaiah holds up a vision of a city built by God, echoing the Psalmist: “Unless the LORD build the house, they labor in vain who build” (Psalm 127:1) Isaiah promises the Lord will build the city, and at the same times outlines for the people their part of the labor. They are to live in righteousness in word and in deed. Continue reading →

Baptized

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This coming Sunday is the Second Sunday of Advent in lectionary cycle C, the year when the Gospel of Luke is the primary source of our gospels. Today we continue to look at details of the narrative. The previous post discussed “the word of God” coming to John in the desert. Let us consider John’s mission.

He went throughout (the) whole region of the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins

Continue reading →

The Strange Attractor

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We all have past lives and stories, experiences, and moments that mark those lives. One thing that might emerge from that milieu is a life-long curiosity about a certain topic. One such enduring curiosity for me is mathematical chaos. I keep coming back to the idea. It certainly shows up enough in posts – for example, “Your phone and chaos.” There are others. If you are curious too, use the “search box” on this blog to explore. Continue reading →

God’s Design

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This coming Sunday is the Second Sunday of Advent in lectionary cycle C, the year when the Gospel of Luke is the primary source of our gospels. In the two previous posts we covered the historical and scriptural context of our gospel reading. Today we begin to look at details and how they help create Luke’s overarching theme: preparing the way. As Luke promised his patron Theophilus, the gospel will be an orderly presentation (Luke 1:3) – and so he begins with  history. Continue reading →