They went off

Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time

"While they went off to buy it, the bridegroom came and those who were ready went into the wedding feast with him.  Then the door was locked.” (Matthew 25:10)

Reflection

Some folks react to this reading with the comment, "How could the master be so cruel as to lock the door?"  Back up a second, take a look at the prior actions of the foolish virgins.  The wise ones told them to go off and buy some oil for themselves.  And they did!  Why?  They ought to have stayed faithful to the bridegroom and awaited his return, oil or no oil.

Lesson:  When we are out of spiritual oil, despondent, weak of faith, other voices tell us to go off and buy faith some other way.  Purchase relief for ourselves.  There's no other merchant or resource we need than Christ himself.  Remain faithful.  Stay in Church. 

Chastised a little, we shall be greatly blessed, because God tried us and found us worthy of himself.

After three days they found him

"After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions, and all who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers.” (Luke 2:46) 

Reflection

This would not be the last time Mary waited three days before finding the real story about her Son.  Later in life, she would encourage his “coming out” at Cana, where He begins public ministry.  Even later, Mary and the disciples would wait another three day period for Jesus to “come out” again – this time as the Risen Lord.  Faith provides Christians with two gifts: 1) patience as we wait the three days – or however long that period in the tomb may be, and 2) spiritual insight into the new reality revealed – a clearer understanding of God’s plan for us.

So, as we contemplate the meaning of Christmas for our own lives, we take away these lessons: in the coming year, the human Jesus will show us how to be patient with the dark times of being lost.  He will also reveal to us (in His time) the Resurrection, the new life, a finding Him in a new light.  This new light often comes after a time of contemplation and patient prayer.  As “his mother kept all these things in her heart,” she waited for Jesus to advance in wisdom and favor through obedience to God’s greater plan.

May you be blessed with such Faith.

Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting

When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.”  (Luke 1:41-43) 

Reflection 

These days, I get texts that jump right to the chase:  no hello, no greeting, no “how are you.”  In this fast-paced culture, we don’t take time to begin messages with “I hope you are well” or “Peace to you during these days of Christmas.”  I do have a Jesuit friend who sends emails and letters to me with two or three sentences of salutation, asking how I am and sending along his best wishes.  Some Jesuits insert the familiar “P.C.” after the Dear Pat, which means, “Pax Christi” (the peace of Christ).  But, sometimes we are too busy to honor the gift of greeting one another with good news or stated blessings and support.

In this Sunday’s Gospel, we see that Elizabeth is greatly inspired by the greeting of Mary.  Elizabeth is so happy to hear the first words of her cousin that her body responded in motion and voice.  Powerful stuff those greetings – words to acknowledge the blessed presence of your friend, the prayers and wishes for good health, the hopes for a blessed new year.  Let’s make a habit of using similar greetings and words of respect in our messaging.  

Look at the 16^th chapter of Paul’s letter to the Romans:  nothing but greetings.  At least twenty!  And at least six times Paul encourages believers to greet one another “with a holy kiss.”  How would I do that on line?  I would take time to write a sentence or two which conveys a blessing, a good wish, or a hope for joy.  Before jumping in with your 144 tweet characters, take a minute to type “Peace to you” or “May your week be a blessed one.”  See the power Good News has in cyberspace this season. 

A voice of one

As it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah:  A voice of one crying out in the desert:

"Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths …” (Luke 3:5,6)

Reflection

Growing up in a large family (as you can see by a look at my Facebook wallpaper), I have sometimes felt like my voice got lost in the crowd.  I was passed the potatoes, not because I asked for them, but because I just happened to be next in line.  If I had a favorite TV to watch, I got to see it in large part because it was the favorite of everyone else.   

Sometimes you might feel like your voice is rather puny and your pronouncements don’t matter much.In today’s Gospel, we hear the one single voice of one obscure desert Jew:  John the Baptizer.  He had funny clothes, food, and an even funnier job.  He likely thought no one would listen.  But it didn’t matter.  Even though he was “the voice of one,” his message was heard by one, then another, and on and on.Eventually the Baptist’s cry was heard my trillions, but it started with just one sound.   

You too have a particular sound – an opinion or a bit of Good news to share.  Don’t be shy.  Advent is a time to send Christmas cards, sometimes by way of speech and a nice word to someone in need.  Let your voice join John’s this season, so as to prepare the way of the other “One” who is to come.

Be vigilant

For that day will assault everyone who lives on the face of the earth.  Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man. (Luke 21:35, 36)

Reflection

Right after the Presidential election, during the first week of November, I was stunned by two shockers on the radio.  First, I started hearing Christmas songs!  Then I heard a political pundit offer names of Democrats and Republicans who might run for president in 2016.  Woah!  Slow down the clock, Father Time!

Does it bother anyone else that the month of December is loaded with “Christmas” songs, rather than Advent songs?  Granted, we don’t have many of the latter, but today’s Gospel warns us to “Stay Awake” and appreciate the present season of Advent BEFORE we click into the future.  Being vigilant at all times means to take Advent solemnly.  For example: savor, observe, wait, stop, slow down, look up, pray, and beg the Lord deliverance from the hustle and bustle of December in America.  “Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man."

Know that he is near

"Learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves, you know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see these things happening, know that he is near, at the gates.” (Mark 13:28,29)

Reflection

Recently one of my Facebook friends posted the following line on his page:  “I wonder how I will die...anyone else ever think about that?”

On first face, you might think such a posting is a morbid thought, or that no one else ever thinks about the “end times.”  But I think everybody wonders about the future, confronted as we are by the cold and sorrowful circumstances around us.  Sometimes too those thoughts lead to fear and obsessive meanderings.  We fear we might be cast away and sent far from God and loved ones. Left out in the cold.

But the Lord is not one to lead us to despair about the future:  whether it be the fate of the whole world, or our own days ahead.  No, the words of Jesus to His disciples are those of Courage.  The apocalyptic style of writing was used to encourage and strengthen people in times of questioning and persecution. 

My Facebook friend wonders a common question:  what does the future hold for me?  Let us find hope in the words of Jesus who tells us God will be near to us, and he will gather us to Himself from all the various winds and motions of chaos.  As we anticipate the cold and chilly, dark storms of winter, “know that summer is near.”  In the same way, “know that he is near, at the gates.”  Keep in mind the open pasture where “You will show me the path to life, fullness of joy in your presence.” (Ps 16)