Advent Calendar - December 5, 2012

Isaiah 25:6-10a; Matthew 15:29-37

Reflection by Sister Sarah Cathleen Yungwirth
Learning Support Coordinator, St. Patrick Catholic School in Louisville, Kentucky

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Both the first reading from Isaiah and the reading from Matthew’s Gospel speak of God abundantly providing for all that we need. Isaiah speaks of rich food, choice wines, and God wiping away every tear from our eyes. Then, in Matthew, a story is related of how, for three days, Jesus had been healing and helping many people experience God’s loving power in their lives. So, now, they were hungry and tired. Jesus said, “My heart is moved with pity for the crowd”. He recognized their humanness and met their needs by multiplying five loaves and two fish to feed the large group assembled in front of him. They were all satisfied and left with a physical, spiritual, and emotional fullness. There were even lots of leftovers! The joy and rejoicing in God’s abundant presence and love that followed must have been amazing!

Today, Jesus’ heart is still moved with pity for each of us individually and for the world. He longs to work in us and through us to be the grace that we so truly need. Then, all people can be satisfied and have fullness of life. We are each called to be the “loaves and fishes” that are shared so that all needs can be met abundantly. Questions this stirs in me include: How am I being called to be a healing and life-giving presence for others? How can I let go of my need to hold onto the things to which I cling, such as my time, schedule, or need to have projects go my way? Each of us is called to share our individual abundance with others. Then, there truly will be much joy as we live the kingdom of God here on earth.

Advent Calendar - December 4, 2012

Isaiah 11:1-10; Luke 10:21-24

Reflection by Sister Kathryn Huber
Spirituality Ministry for the Sisters of St. Benedict

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"Christianity isn’t a failure; it just hasn’t been tried yet.” - Attributed to G.K. Chesterton, 1874 – 1936, British writer

Today’s first reading from Isaiah 11 presents us with a promise and a hope of justice, of peace and harmony between antagonists: lamb and wolf, baby and cobra, child and adder. We know the passage as the Peaceable Kingdom.Jesus came to teach us how to be free, and how to live in peace and harmony. He was free to love without reserve, to love the poorest of the poor as well as the rich young man. His freedom to love knew no limits because his trust in God knew no limits. Jesus challenges us to participate in God’s Work – as He did.
 
Hildegard of Bingen, our newest Doctor of the Church, writes, “Humankind, full of creative possibilities is God’s work. Humankind alone is called to assist God. Humankind alone is called to co-create.” It is our responsibility to help create justice, peace, and harmony. Not necessarily to produce these virtues in the world at large, but to create them in spheres in which each of us lives: family, workplace, civic and religious communities. How does my presence bring justice, peace, and harmony? Jesus’ way of life is both simple and profound. It does not necessarily require unusual behaviors on our part, but it does call us to live the usual unusually well.

Advent Calendar - December 3, 2012

Isaiah 2:1-5; Matthew 8:5-11

Reflection by Sister Briana Elisabeth Craddock, OSB
Teacher, St. Philip School, St. Philip, Posey County, Indiana

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I spent the majority of my childhood in Southern California in the San Fernando and Conejo Valleys. Both areas are surrounded by mountains, and I spent a lot of time looking at the mountains and climbing the hills that made up the cities of my childhood. Even now, as an adult, I feel both a sense of security and a sense of awe when I visit my family in California and see the mountains stretched out before me. In today’s first reading, Isaiah tells us that the “mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established as the highest mountain” and that “all nations shall stream toward it”. Mountains have an allure all their own, and as the “highest mountain”, the mountain of God would have a special attraction for most people. Unlike the mountains of Southern California, the purpose of God’s mountain is to be a place where people can go to receive instruction regarding ways to live justly and peaceably with one another. Perhaps the allure is not the height or the strength of the mountain, but the gifts God, who dwells on this mountain, can give to all of us. We seek peace. We seek healing. We seek justice. These are gifts that God provides. We just need to “stream toward God” as the nations stream toward the mountain.

What captivates me? Does it get in the way of what God can give to me? What am I seeking from God this Advent?

Advent Calendar - December 2, 2012

Jeremiah 33:14-16; 1 Thessalonians 3:12-4:2; Luke 21:25-28, 34-36

Reflection by Sister Jane Becker
Clinical Psychologist, St. Luke Center, Louisville, Kentucky

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“There will be signs in the sun…People will die of fright…the heavens will be shaken…Beware…Be vigilant…”  John 21: 25-28, 34-36.

How strange! It always hits me as sort of odd that we start off the Advent/Christmas season with words about the end of the world. As we go through Advent the promises of what (or Who) is to come become more uplifting, but we start with a note of dread.

Perhaps this focus on the end times is to get our attention and to put the mystery of Christ’s birth in perspective. From the beginning of the universe until the end of time, no stranger thing has happened than God becoming human. Nothing more significant has occurred than the Creator coming to be one of us.

We need not plan on four weeks (actually, only three weeks and two days) of dread; we know that the celebration of a very happy event is coming. But we might try to “be vigilant” each of those 23 days, remembering for a moment each day the real importance of this Advent season: Jesus is born to each of us, Jesus the Light of the World and our Redeemer.

And Then a Miracle Happens . . . .

I like the Far Side cartoon where the guy is doing a math problem on the board.  The step before the final solution is, "And then a miracle happens."

I actually think of this quite often as I look at the events in my life.  There are things that have happened to me or steps I have taken that can only be explained by God's grace.

For example, I have no idea how I became a music teacher other than to say, "It was by God's grace" or "A miracle happened."  I had always desired to learn music, but didn't think I had any musical talent.  I really could not sing before I came to the monastery.  Lots of people say this, but I REALLY could not match pitch to save my life. 

I had never had piano lessons either, but then by God's grace, a miracle happened.  I have no idea how my fingers know where to go. 

Learning to play the organ is another example of God's grace.  The organ is a monster in and of itself.  I believe anyone who plays the organ has to have a calling.  It's like patting your head, rubbing your stomach, tapping your right foot and kicking with your left all at the same time.  How can anyone do this other than to say, "It is by God's grace."

I've put in countless hours of practice over many years.  I've also had lots of people put in countless hours to help me.  And all along the way, God's grace was continuously present and miracles popped up all over the place. 

Remembering Who's in Charge

I've been trying to teach the kindergartners how to sing a new Mass setting that we've started using at school.  They're normally good singers, but learning the Holy, Mystery of Faith, Amen, and Lamb of God isn't coming too easily.  I asked them today, "Who's the leader in our class?"  I was hoping they all would want to step up to the challenge.  I was quickly brought back to reality when one of the students answered, "God."  I can't argue with that!  God's the leader and without God we can do nothing.  I'm thankful for the reminder of letting God be in control and accepting what comes - all in God's time and not mine. 

Consistency in Prayer

I took a yoga class the other day for the first time.  I just happened to be at the right place at the right time, so I took advantage of the opportunity.  I don't know much about yoga, but I do know what I experienced was very prayerful - a way of cleansing the body, centering one's self, and focusing on the breath.  For that hour, I could clear my mind and not worry or think about anything else.  Of course, I've only done one class, so I can only imagine the benefits if done on a regular basis.

This is the same with prayer.  We can pray to God on occasion and feel good afterward, but for a relationship to deepen and grow, we need consistency.  C. S. Lewis is quoted as saying , "I pray because I can't help myself. I pray because I'm helpless. I pray because the need flows out of me all the time, waking and sleeping. It doesn't change God, it changes me."  Douglas Wood has a similar quote, ""We pray because we are here - not to change the world, but to change ourselves. Because it is when we change ourselves...that the world is changed.”  When we pray, our actions and behavior change.  Over time, with the grace of God, we may find ourselves more patient, more compassionate, more accepting, and more understanding of others.

I have prayers that I say everyday, and I think some of them make God laugh.  I try to talk and listen to God as I would a friend, saying whatever is on my mind.  Every night, my last prayer is always, "Dear God, help me wake up in the morning."  (I'm not a morning person.  If I had been in charge, I would have moved the morning to the afternoon.)  Then in the morning when my alarm goes off, I pray a similar prayer, "Dear God, help me get up . . . . after I press snooze one more time."  Throughout the day, I pray, "Dear God, work through me."  I'm aware that I can do nothing on my own, nor would I want to do anything on my own. 

Being consistent in prayer isn't easy.  It certainly takes discipline and perseverance.  Having someone around to which you can offer and receive mutual encouragement is also helpful. 

Establishing Self Love

Below is a reflection I gave at the monastery on the Gospel reading for November 4th (Mark 12:28b-34).  The reading is about loving God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength and loving our neighbor as ourselves.  I hope you enjoy the reflection.

When I was in first grade, the priest came to our classroom and asked us, “How many Gods are there?”  Well, I knew this answer.  I had been listening to my parents and my teacher, so I raised my hand, and when the priest called on me, I confidently answered, “Millions and millions and millions and millions.”  I think my teacher, Sr. Marietta, just about fell over.  The priest was shocked too.  After all, how could the brightest kid in the whole school and also the most humble miss such an important question about a fundamental belief of our faith? 

The priest then called on my twin brother who answered, “One.”  Well, I just about fell over when I heard that answer.  How could there be only one God?  I really had been listening, and I really had been taught well.  I knew that God was everywhere.  I also knew that God was inside me and God was in each person in the world.  Therefore, since there are millions and millions of places and millions and millions of people, my first grade mind logically concluded that there were millions and millions and millions and millions of Gods. 

In today’s Gospel, we hear that God “is One and there is no other . . . . You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.  The second [commandment] is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Mark 12:31, NAB). 

I have no doubt that we all love God, and I believe that we do our best to love our neighbor, but I don’t know if loving my neighbor as myself is always such a good idea.  It’s my experience that most of us, or at least some of us, don’t love ourselves the way we should.  In fact, some of our self talk can be downright brutal.  At least this is true in my life. 

Overtime, we can lose sight of the God who dwells within us.  Instead of loving ourselves and appreciating the creation God has made, we focus on our flaws.  I confess to doing this.  I really need to go to a P.A. meeting.  My introduction would be, “Hi.  My name is Catherine, and I’m a perfectionist.”  Perfectionism, as those who suffer from it know, is a terrible disease with terrible side effects.  Since there are no P.A. or Perfectionist Anonymous meetings, I believe the best cure is to apply lots of acceptance and self love. 

Many of us, meaning society in general, have a tendency to put ourselves down and thus do not honor and respect the God who dwells within us.  We may think that God’s timing is all wrong, that we should be better at our ministry, already over a difficult situation, or further along in our education, our relationships with others, or our spiritual journey.  We doubt the fact that God has us right where we are supposed to be at this time and this place.  Unfortunately, society tells us that we’re not quite right unless we look a certain way, dress a certain way, and act a certain way.  This teaching has terrible effects on a person’s self esteem and self love.

Just ask the 24 million Americans of every age and gender who suffer from an eating disorder.  Where are 81% of 10 year olds getting the message that they are too fat?  Why do 42% of 1^st – 3^rd graders want to be thinner?  What about the 47% of 5^th – 12^th graders who report they want to lose weight because of magazine pictures (National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders).  Do we really want them to love their neighbor as themselves when they have negative self images and abuse their bodies to meet an unrealistic ideal?             

What about our own behaviors?  St. Benedict tells us in Chapter 53, The Reception of Guests, “All guests who present themselves are to be welcomed as Christ, who said:  ‘I was a stranger and you welcomed me’ (Matthew 25:35).”  We offer hospitality to our guests, but how do treat ourselves?  When we look in the mirror, what do we think?  When we make a mistake, like all humans do, how do we treat ourselves?  With love and mercy as God does?  Or with frustration and negativity?  Can we let ourselves be free?  Free to make mistakes.  Free to not be perfect.  Ever.  Free to fall down and get back up, only to fall down again and get back up again.  Free to accept ourselves and others exactly as we are. 

Great opportunities await us as we get more involved with the Family Scholar House.  This program offers opportunities for single parents to get an education, but it also offers them an opportunity for a foundation of self love.  Some of the women in the program are coming from abusive relationships.  Some gave themselves to the first person who would show them love and acceptance, unaware that the love would not last.  As we get more involved in the program, we can show the participants through our words and actions that they are worth more than the relationship from which they are coming.  They are worthy not only of an education, but they are worthy of unconditional love from God.  They are worthy of love from their neighbors, and they are also worthy of self love. 

We can only give what we ourselves have.  We too have to have a foundation of self love; to love ourselves as God loves us.  We build this foundation by accepting who we are, faults and all, and honoring and respecting the one God who dwells within us.  The one God we love with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.  The one God who loves us more than we can dare imagine.  God loves us just the way we are.  Let us follow and do the same.