Lenten Practices in Action

In the midst of the world’s present chaos which consumes my thoughts and haunts my soul, Lent arrives on my doorstep admonishing, “Repent and believe the Good News; change your heart and live in God”.  

Today’s perilous mass migration of refugees and migrants from the Middle East in their dinghy-like boats has called for radical change in our hearts and deep trust in God as we reach out to assist in a myriad of ways. The hosts of people who have answered the urgent need have taken the Gospel message to new heights in their response to the poor and abandoned. We are heartened by countries who have opened their doors to embrace those forced from their homes and fleeing demonic oppressors. Lent provides an opportunity to support our cities and citizens who have offered their homes to shelter the homeless, feed the hungry, clothe the naked and nurture those who need us to share our very lives. This will be a challenging venture, the end of which we do not know and cannot see.  

Lent 2016 presents God’s expectations in the prophet Isaiah’s exhortation:

“Is not this the fast that I choose:
to loose the bonds of injustice,
to undo the thongs of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to break every yoke?
Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,
and bring the homeless poor into your house;
when you see the naked, to cover them,
and not to hide yourself from your own kin?"   (Isaiah 58:6-7)

Isaiah’s exhortation to the world today is as timely as when first spoken centuries ago. Throngs continue to flee the bonds of injustice and oppression. Many arrive on our shores hungry, naked and homeless. This Lent, let us offer our generous response to those whom we can support.

“Then will your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up quickly; your vindicator shall go before you, the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.  Then you shall call and the Lord will answer; you shall cry for help, and he will say, ‘Here I am’.” (Isaiah 58:8-9)

Jean Moylan, CSJ

"Return to Normal Duties"

There is a phrase that comes over the P.A. system at our residence following a fire drill –  “Return to Normal Duties.” Well I’m contemplating this phrase very seriously these days. It’s not because of a fire drill, but because I’ve been frozen in time with a vicious viral infection.

St. Paul once said, “We have here no lasting city but look for one that is to come.” I’ve thought about that too, tossing, turning, trying to free myself from the prone position. Yes, I’m down and out and the nursing staff are amiably on hand with prescribed medication, advice and an assessing eye.

My symptoms are sea legs, watery eyes, headache, poor concentration and loss of cognitive skills. The power of prayer flashes through my dreary mind and the rhyming rhythm of the beautiful psalms pass like a thief in the night. Thank goodness I still have a few perks:

• Pressing a button to listen to the weather on C.B.C.
• Limping out of bed to my easy chair
• Getting myself next door at 7:05 a.m. for roaring hot coffee
• Reading the sticker on the banana, “You and Me Healthy Communities”
• Answering the nursing staff with, “I feel like a limp noodle.”

The medical team has finally declared that I am a free agent after these days of togetherness. But, the question still looms on the horizon: How will I “Resume Normal Duties?”

Eileen Foran, CSJ

Do You Really Mean it?

Are good thoughts good enough? Yes, I am thinking about all those ever new “New Year” resolutions. A few years ago, I was the Pastoral Minister at a city parish composed of middle aged parishioners. The Pastor and I where asked by a number of parishioners about the possibility of having a midnight Mass on New Year’s Eve! We talked about it and decided to schedule the New Year’s Eve mass for midnight. Come December 31^st at 11:30 p.m. we waited to welcome the parishioners—we waited and we waited. At 11:45 p.m. two people arrived, a mother and the daughter who cared for her. The rest of the crowd must be coming shortly we thought so we lit the candles. Father vested and we were ready to bring in the New Year. The New Year bells began to ring and oh what a beautiful sound they made. As the bells rang out Father, the mother, the daughter and I gathered around the altar—we were it. The mass was celebrated with all the trimmings minus the collection! It was a great celebration, very peaceful, and reflective. Those who thought it was a good idea but didn’t follow through missed out on a much graced moment.

The following weekend we heard a lot of “we were going to come but…!” Unfortunately, a good idea or thought counts for little if there is no follow through. Perhaps as we approach the New Year we might plan to look a little more at the spiritual side of our lives. We are always so busy—no one, we say, is as busy as we are. Really! Try to spend just five minutes a day in total quiet, come to church early or stay a few minutes after. Perhaps do something to help the environment. Each night before going to sleep think of at least six things you are grateful for. Try to find some positive action and follow through with it.

Let’s make 2016 a year of making this world and ourselves witnesses of God’s Great Love. Pope Francis’s challenge to “Wake up the world was not just for a year—it was for a life time. Blessings to all for 2016! Let’s all be the active influence for good in 2016.

“Let us open the doors of our hearts to Jesus, so that he will accompany us now and through the year that is about to begin”.

Barb Vaughan, CSJ

Ask

It was Christmas Eve.
Snow lay all about –
The night sky dark, black,
yet filled with pinpoints of light.
I was on the steps, on
the threshold of our parish church
Going to Midnight Mass …
I looked up.

Just then, a comet streaked overhead,
its tail long, crossing the heavens,
bright and beautiful.
And in my child-heart,
and to my Child-God,
I gave great Christmas thanks –
“You did it just for me!”
My words deep within.

The following Christmas Eve,
snowy expectations all around,
the night sky darkened –
those everlasting stars
were bound to break through.
Returning to Midnight Mass a year older,
I mounted the same church steps,
again crossing the threshold.
With the heart of a child
and to the God who would be Child,
I asked, “Do it again, just for me!”

A comet, great and true,
streaked-blazed overhead –
tail bright and signing the heavens,
long-laughing-singing awesome.
“Thank you, God!” from the child deep within.
“Thank you for doing it again, for coming
Just for me!”

“Ask and it shall be added unto you.” Jesus

A childhood memory of Fr. Bob Wild as told to Scott Eagan from Vol.68 No.10 publication of RESTORATION
Used with permission
www.madonnahouse.org/restoration

A Spirit of Hospitality

As I reflect on the gospel of the 4^th Sunday of Advent, I think of the warm welcome Elizabeth extended to her cousin Mary who had travelled far while herself pregnant in order to assist her cousin. These days ‘warm welcome’ calls to mind and fills me with gratitude and joy the arrival of the Syrian refugees and how so many individuals and communities and our country are reaching out with a spirit of hospitality. As well, at this time of year people are in the throes of preparing their hearts and homes to welcome others for celebrations.  Advent is a time of welcoming.

Just as the wombs of Mary and Elizabeth protected precious lives so are each of us and all of us called to protect God’s creation.  We have a long way to go but we leap for joy at the agreement reached at the Climate Change meeting in Paris last week. We recall that Elizabeth’s child John leapt with joy at the sound of Mary’s voice which was also good news.

Fr Bill Clarke, SJ said on a recent retreat that Mother Earth never gives up on us, we are all siblings held in the womb of Mother Earth and that everything we needed we had in the womb.

As we approach the end of this Advent season, in these very difficult times, it is good to leap for joy and appreciate the blessings we see all around us. This is indeed good news.

Nancy Sullivan, csj