Category Archives: Musings

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 →

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 →

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 →

But how can they?

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Today is the Feast of St. Andrew the Apostle. St. Andrew is the patron saint of several countries, notably Scotland and Russia – as well as patron of many other activities, including the Russian Navy. The brother of Simon Peter, he was called as an apostle and sent on mission after the Resurrection of Jesus. There are many reports and claims of his missionary endeavors that range from Kiev to Scotland and the reports of conversions are notable. And so the first reading is well chosen.

But how can they call on him in whom they have not believed?
And how can they believe in him of whom they have not heard?
And how can they hear without someone to preach?
And how can people preach unless they are sent?
As it is written,
How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news! (Romans 10:14-15)

Being born and raised in the south, there were lots of people with beautiful feet. It didn’t matter if you were at the Piggly-Wiggly, the five-and-dime, or the gas station. There was someone there ready to give witness because they were sent so that others could be called, hear, and believe. It’s the way it was.

In the Franciscan tradition, people are quite ready to quote St. Francis: preach the gospel at all times; use words if necessary. The problem is that Francis never said that. The attribution to Francis is bogus. Francis believed in proclaiming the Word. That’s why very early in the Order’s history he sent missionaries into the Baltic, among the Germanic people, as far afield as lands north of the Black Sea. Within a generation of Franics, the friars were in China. They were sent to give witness – certainly by their lives – but Francis is clear they are to preach “when the Spirit commands.” (Rule of 1221)

Recently I read a post from a priest who, as a seminarian, wrote to his later self to remind him about prayer. There were 15-20 admonitions, each one starting with (e.g.) “There is a person in despair, who is one prayer away from Hope.”

Out there in your life, there is a person who is one witness, one chat, one invitation away from being called, hearing and believing. It’s up to you. Preach the gospel at all times. Use words.

St. Andrew pray for us.

The Calling of Saints Peter and Andrew by Caravaggio (1603–1606)

The Parade of Nations

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In our modern times there is perhaps no “parade of nations” more famous than the ceremony that begins the modern Olympic Games. All the nations of the world, national flags at the fore, people dressed for the occasion, with a destination in mind. A reminder of what the Prophet Isaiah foretold in this morning’s first reading.

In days to come, The mountain of the LORD’s house shall be established as the highest mountain and raised above the hills. All nations shall stream toward it; many peoples shall come and say: “Come, let us climb the LORD’s mountain, to the house of the God of Jacob, That he may instruct us in his ways, and we may walk in his paths.” For from Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

In the gospel we again receive a foretaste of Isaiah’s prophecy fulfilled as the Centurion comes to Jesus. He came because he had heard of Jesus because “from Zion” went forth instructions.

As the psalm refrain says, “Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord” but when we arrive, we can be spectators only, or we can chose to “go forth from Zion” and speak of our Hope in Jesus to a modern Centurion that he or she may join the parade of nations.

Photo by Franck Robichon

Giving Thanks

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I am grateful for a day in which we, as a people, pause to give thanks. And who do we have to thank for this holiday? Your answer is likely “The Pilgrims.” You would not be wrong, but then not completely correct, either. Certainly, Thanksgiving and the religious response of giving thanks to God is as old as time. When one considers enduring cultures, one always finds men and women working out their relationship to God. There is almost always a fourfold purpose to our acts of worship: adoration, petition, atonement, thanksgiving. Such worship is part and parcel of life. And yet, there is still a very human need to specially celebrate and offer thanksgiving on key occasions and anniversaries. Since medieval times, we have very detailed records of celebrations marking the end of an epidemic, liberation from sure and certain doom, the signing of a peace treaty, and more. Continue reading →

The Memorial of Andrew-Dung-Lac and Companions

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“Beware of men, for they will hand you over to courts and scourge you in their synagogues, and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake as a witness before them and the pagans” (Mt 10:17-18)

Today’s readings celebrate the martyrdom of Fr. Andrew-Dung-Lac and Companions. The title of the memorial is a bit misleading – its title follows the tradition of the General Roman Calendar. But in other places and times the name of the celebration is known as a feast dedicated to the Vietnamese Martyrs, the Martyrs of Annam, the Martyrs of Tonkin and Cochinchina, or the Martyrs of Indochina. Continue reading →

Thanksgiving Pie

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We all have elements of Thanksgiving that are required, mandatory, and just plain ol’ absolutely-has-to-be-there for Thanksgiving to be truly Thanksgiving. Those elements are familial, nostalgic, and our connection to our sense of self and history. As children grow up and marry, having families of their own, the traditions merge and blend, but there is always a connection to one’s childhood present on the table. There are many constants: turkey, ham, mashed sweet potatoes (with or without marshmallow topping), stuffing and the list goes on. And then there are the traditions of dessert. Continue reading →