Advent Calendar, December 6

Isaiah 29:17-24; Matthew 9:27-31

Reflection by Sister Catherine Marie Duenne
Music Minister for St. Ferdinand, St. Anthony, and Sacred Heart of Jesus in Schnellville

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Both of today’s readings mention the blind being able to see. In Isaiah, we read “And out of gloom and darkness, the eyes of the blind shall see.” In the Gospel of Matthew, we hear of two blind men who call out to Jesus for pity. Jesus touches their eyes and says, “Let it be done for you according to your faith.” Their eyes are then opened.

When I hear stories like this, I think of my own spiritual blindness. Am I aware of the ways in which I am blind? At the end of each day, how do I answer the following questions?

Have I followed the Gospel?
Have I been Christ to those around me?
Have I recognized Christ in all people and all creation?

If I have failed in these areas,I too am spiritually blind and am in need of Jesus’ healing. I too need to call out to Jesus for pity.

I recently heard an interesting story and will do my best to retell it.

A rabbi asked his students, “How do you know when night has ended and the day has arrived?”

One student answered, “The night has ended and day has arrived when you can look off in the distance and see an animal, and you know if the animal is a sheep or a goat.”

Another student answered, “The night has ended and day has arrived when you can look off in the distance and see a tree, and you know if it is a fig tree or a peach tree.”

A third student answered, “The night has ended and day has arrived when you can look off in the distance and see a person, and you know if the person is a friend or an enemy.”

The rabbi was not satisfied with any of these answers. He corrected them by saying, “The night has ended and day has arrived when you can look at the face of any person and see the face of a brother or a sister. Only until then has the day arrived. If you look at someone and cannot see the face of a brother or sister, you are still living in darkness, and no matter what time it is, for you it is still night.”

How is my spiritual sight? Am I like the two in the Gospel who called out to Jesus, “Son of David, have pity on us!” Am I in need of healing? Will I allow Jesus to open my eyes as he did the two in the Gospel so that I too can see with the eyes of faith?

Advent Calendar, December 5

Is. 26:1-6 Mt. 7:21, 24-27

Reflection by Sister Michelle Mohr
Liturgical Assistant, Ferdinand, Indiana

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At times I read Scripture and find it perplexing. This is one of those times. Both the Old Testament reading from Isaiah and the Gospel reading from Matthew leave me in a quandary. I realize that the image of a house built on rock or sand or whatever type of earthy material is the foundation for a building does not indicate a material dwelling. However, I can’t turn off the images in my mind of the many natural disasters that tear through structures, wash out foundation and leave families destitute. My mind wanders to the various weather reports, warnings to evacuate or to find a safe shelter, and once again I think that the type of building doesn’t matter. Therefore, should I conclude that this passage from Matthew is irrelevant? Do I close my Bible and put it on a shelf? No, because I hear a voice within me say, “Go deeper”.

Perhaps the house is my life and the question is, “What values do I hold as my foundation, as my rock”. The passage from Isaiah gives us a few building stones. We are urged to keep faith, be of steadfast mind, and trust in God. The prophet reminds us that in God we have an everlasting rock.

Regarding the storm warnings, I believe we do experience storms in our lives and, yes, I think we do receive warnings of impending storms. They come to us in the form of stress, or fatigue, or loneliness, or a sense of unrest. An unsuspecting illness certainly falls into this category as well. Awareness of storms or oncoming storms in our lives need to be recognized in order that we remain open and steadfast to our God who is our shelter and our rock.

What are your storm warning signs?
What are your foundation stones?

Advent Calendar, December 4

Isaiah 25: 6- 10a

Matthew 15: 29-37

Reflection by Sister Anita Louise Lowe
Liturgist, Ferdinand, Indiana

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Today’s reading from the Book of Prophet Isaiah provides us with rich images portraying the day when God returns to dwell among the people of Israel.  Isaiah tells us that, on that day God will feed the people with “a feast of rich food, a feast of well-matured wines.” God will also “wipe away the tears from all faces,” and will “swallow up death for ever.” On that day, creation will be returned to its origins, to the way life was when the first humans lived in the Garden of Eden. There they were with God, walked with God, and talked with God. There they were given to feast on the bounty of the garden. The vision of Isaiah is that one day humanity will dwell again with God and feast in paradise. 

This prophesy foreshadows the ministry of Jesus shown in today’s Gospel passage. Jesus went up to the mountain where great crowds came to him. There he healed them and wiped away their tears of pain and sorrow. There he fed them with bread and fish. Jesus’ call to his disciples to cure the sick and feed the hungry continues to be our call today as his followers. We are called to be the body of Christ for those around us, for our neighbors, and for our world. During this Advent season may we recognize that we are the presence of Christ for others, and may we answer the call to be Christ, to reach out with hands of healing, to speak words of peace and reconciliation, to feed those who are hungry — physically and spiritually.

In the words of Teresa of Avila: “Christ has no body now on earth but yours; no hands but yours; no feet but yours. Yours are the eyes through which the compassion of Christ must look out on the world. Yours are the feet with which He is to go about doing good. Yours are the hands with which He is to bless His people.”

Questions for Reflection: 

Who has been Christ for me in the difficult times of my life?

To whom am I being sent to be the presence of Christ today?

Advent Calendar - December 3

Isaiah 11: 1-10

Reflection by Sister Briana Elisabeth Craddock
Ferdinand, Indiana

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“Not by appearance shall he judge,
nor by hearsay shall he decide,
But he shall judge the poor with justice,
and decide aright for the land’s afflicted.”

As human beings, we rely on our five senses to gather information about the world around us. The images that we see and the sounds that we hear make particular impressions on us. From the experiences that we have related to the sights and sounds, we make judgments. We may exclaim over the beauty of a sunset over the ocean or smile when we hear certain Christmas carols. Someone may hear or see the same thing that we see or hear but evaluate it differently based on associations to past experiences. The sunset over the ocean might be seen as a harbinger of darkness and fear. A person might feel grumpy when he or she hears Christmas carols because loved ones have died and there is a feeling of loss associated with Christmas.

It is very difficult, at times, to separate our judgments about people or events because we have seen or heard something that sways us to believe one way or another. Isaiah tells us that the Messiah will not judge based upon appearances or on hearsay. The Messiah will judge with justice rather than unethical means.

What would happen if we chose to live today without judging others through appearances or hearsay? Perhaps instead of passing along gossip we could let the harsh words stop with us. Perhaps we could receive all as Christ, even those whose ideas or appearances differ from our own.

Questions for Reflection:

How easy is it for me to pass along gossip?

How do I react when someone else does not see eye-to-eye with me?

Advent Calendar - December 2

Isaiah 4:2-6

Reflection by Sister Briana Elisabeth Craddock
Ferdinand, Indiana

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“Then will the LORD create,
over the whole site of Mount Zion
and over her place of assembly,
A smoking cloud by day
and a light of flaming fire by night.
For over all, the LORD’s glory will be shelter and protection:
shade from the parching heat of day,
refuge and cover from storm and rain.”

Today’s reading from Isaiah calls to mind the story of the Israelites’ journey from slavery in Egypt to freedom in the Promised Land. During the Exodus, God led the Israelites to freedom by means of a column of smoke during the day and a column of fire by night. These elements served to protect and to guide the people on their journey.

In the same way today, God is with us, leading us and guiding us. Unlike the Israelites or like the Mount Zion of which Isaiah speaks, we do not have the benefit of a smoking cloud or of fire to guide us. Upon what can we rely now to know where God is leading us?

The answer to this question lies in the person of Jesus himself. The Gospels tell us of Jesus’ words and actions, thoughts and beliefs. Through Jesus we are guided to be people of compassion, patience, kindness, and love. Through Jesus, we come to know God’s shelter and protection even in the darkest times.

Questions for Reflection:

How am I aware of God’s presence and guidance in my life?

To what does God seem to be calling me?

Advent Calendar - December 1

Isaiah 2:1-5

Reflection by Sister Briana Elisabeth Craddock
Ferdinand, Indiana

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“They shall beat their swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruning hooks;
one nation shall not raise the sword against another,
nor shall they train for war again.”

When I read today’s passage from Isaiah, I get that all-over “warm fuzzy” feeling that Advent brings. An end to violence seems possible. Peace seems to be on the horizon. Advent is a season full of promise, and with it come the hope and expectation that things will finally be different.

Today’s passage is more than just a “feel good” passage, however. Isaiah juxtaposes the sword, which is an instrument of death, with a plowshare, which is an instrument of life. The sword rends the body and causes the body to die, while the plowshare creates a furrow in the soil so that seeds can be planted and new life can begin. Likewise, a spear is a weapon that is meant to harm a person, while a pruning hook is used to cut back fruit trees so that they can become healthier and produce even more fruit. Isaiah tells us that in order to walk in God’s ways, we must beat our swords into plowshares and our spears into pruning hooks. In other words, peace does not just happen; we have to make the conscious decision to change our death-dealing ways into life-giving ones.

While we may not wield swords in our everyday lives, we do things that are in opposition to creating an environment for life and growth. We gossip. We make “snarky” comments. We choose to remain silent instead of offering a word of encouragement or a listening ear. We roll our eyes, sometimes just internally, when “that person” does “that thing” that we cannot stand. If we really want peace, though, we have to make the choice to choose life in all that we do. Peace is on the horizon, but we need to change our lives so that we are helping to bring it about in this time and in this place.

Questions for Reflection:

What swords do I use that I need to beat into plowshares?

What is one choice that I can make today to help bring about new life?

God's Presence in the Holidays

I hope amidst all the holiday bargains and Santas everywhere that we also remember Thanksgiving and the many ways God has blessed us.  I'm always reminded, especially during this time of year, of the many people who are lonely, depressed, unemployed, struggling in any way, and those who are grieving a loss of any kind, whether it be a loss of a loved one, a loss of a physical ability, a loss because of a natural disaster, or any kind of loss.

It's not always easy to approach the holidays.  Society tells us to be cheerful during this time, but depending on the circumstances in which we find ourselves that may not always be possible.  Hopefully, for those who find the holidays difficult, there can be comfort in knowing that God is always present. 

Christ knows how we feel for he too suffered, but rose again.  Our suffering in this world, no matter how great, is only temporary.  We are never alone for God is embracing us and continually showering us with love.  Are we open to feeling God's embrace and receiving God's love?

Whether we look forward to the holidays or find these times difficult, let us pray that we may grow in awareness of God's love and presence here with us always.

May you be blessed this Thanksgiving holiday.

John 15:1-8

Reflection:  Feast of St. Gertrude

            There are some things in our world that are so connected that it is hard to think of one and not also think of the other.  Like salt and pepper, macaroni and cheese.  The two are closely connected and are a pair.  People are like that too.  When you think of someone, you may immediately connect them with the work they do or a product they have made.  Bill Gates is connected with Microsoft, Steve Jobs with Apple computers, and the Manning brothers with football.

            When I was growing up, we had a priest in my hometown who helped us renovate our church.  We would have always connected him with the renovation if it weren’t for the fact that when he left, he said he did not want to be remembered as the priest who painted the church, he wanted to be remembered as the priest who loved.  He did not want his connection to be to a certain action in his life, but rather to a way of life, a way of being. 

            When we think of ourselves, with what do we see ourselves connected?  Are we so connected to Jesus that the Gospel passage rings true, “Remain in me as I remain in you.”  St. Gertrude whose feast we celebrate today, knew this connection well.  She said to God, “I can find no pleasure in anything on earth save in yourself alone, my sweetest Lord.”  To this, God responded, “And in the same way, I find nothing in heaven or on earth which could please me without you” (The Classics of Western Spirituality, Gertrude of Helfta:  The Herald of Divine Love, 1993). 

When people see us and speak with us, do they see Christ?  Is Christ so alive within us, and we are so connected with Christ that it is impossible to tell where I end and Christ begins?  St. Paul knew this connection well when he wrote in Galatians, “I no longer live, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20).  John the Baptist was also aware of this connection.  “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30).  When people see us, do they see the work we do or the products we make or do these things lead them to something greater than ourselves?  Do they see much more in our words and actions?  Do they see Christ?  Do they experience love?    

            There’s a story of a man who went to the doctor and was told he had 3 years to live.  You can imagine the shock he experienced.  He decided he was going to live life to the fullest.  He was kinder than he had ever been before.  He was gentler.  The things that people said or did that would bother him in the past did not bother him anymore.  He saw people in need and helped them.  He gave away all the nonessentials in his life.  People noticed a huge difference in his personality and behavior.  They were drawn to him.  He was now connected to Christ.  He saw Christ in the people around him, and people saw Christ in him.  Christ remained in him.  He lived in such a way that Christ radiated through him, through his words and actions. 

            After some time, the man went back to the doctor, and the doctor said, “Great news!  We have found a cure.  You will have a complete recovery.”  This was great news to the doctor, but it wasn’t for the man.  He began to cry.  He was afraid he would slip back to his old ways.

            Christ is always with us, all around us, ready for us to bear much fruit if we remain in him and allow him to remain in us.  Remaining in Christ is like a fish remaining in water.  Water is the life source for the fish.  Christ is our life source to God.  We remain in Christ as Christ remains in God.  Without Christ, we can do nothing. 

            To remain in Christ, we cannot just stay at the surface level and be satisfied.  There’s a story of a little boy who fell out of bed.  When asked why he fell out, he said, “I guess I just stayed too close to where I got in.”  We continue our journey to God, not satisfied with staying at the surface level, but growing more fully aware of God’s love and presence with us and around us. 

The priest in my hometown did not want to be remembered as the priest who painted the church, but rather as the priest who loved.  When people see us, what do they see?  Do they see the Gospel passage being lived, “Remain in me as I remain in you.”  Do they see Christ so alive in us that they no longer see us, but Christ who lives within us?