THE MENORAH OF HANUKKAH

At the post office recently, I asked to purchase a book of religious stamps for my Christmas mailing. The clerk offered me a book of stamps with a picture of the Menorah.  With this Jewish symbol in my hand I began to recall the Jewish family who visited our home each Christmas.  The children, in particular, wanted to visit our home to see our Christmas tree.  This was my first introduction to the Jewish faith and only years later learned that the Jewish feast celebrated in December was called Hanukkah. 

This year our Christmas story overlaps with the eight-day Hanukkah celebration (December 22 to December 30th) where the Menorah plays a key role.  (The word “Hanukkah” means “dedication”). The Temple, the holiest of worship places and the center of Jewish communal celebratory life was destroyed by the army of the dominating ruler, King Antiochus, who was intent on abolishing the faith of the Jewish people and their religious traditions. Divisiveness resulted among the Jewish people.  Fearing the power of the King, many Jews felt compelled to obey and abandon their faith.  However, another small group, the Maccabees, continued their Jewish prayerful customs and way of life.  They were also determined to return to their temple and to restore their religious freedom.  As history informs us, the Maccabees were victorious and while restoring the Temple discovered amid the rubble their precious menorah (lamp).  Oil was necessary for the lamp to burn and the oil flask contained only enough for one day of light, however, miraculously, the menorah remained lit for eight days.  Each year that miracle and the rededication of the Temple is recalled during the eight-day celebration.

And we conclude with words from Dan Rather “Tonight, families will gather to light candles in celebration of hope and perseverance, a determination to not be deterred in the face of challenge. It's choosing Light over Darkness. And we all could afford to welcome some of that light into our homes and hearts. Happy Hanukkah!”

SOME TRADITIONS DURING HANUKKAH:

The Menorah: has nine candle holders.  Each night another candle is lit. One candle sits higher in the middle and is referred to as the helper candle.  It is lit first each night and each candle is lit from the light of the helper candle starting from left to right as a blessing is spoken.   

 

The Dreidel: a four-sided top played by children during the Hanukkah celebration days.  Four words written one each side in Hebrew read “A great miracle happened here”.

Foods:  fried in oil to continue the connection to the miraculous oil.  Latkes (potato pancakes) served with sour cream are common, as well as jelly doughnuts (Sufganiyot) and cheese-filled cookies.

Source:  A Hanukkah Treasury   Edited by Eric A. Kimmel, Illustrated by Emily Lisker

 

- Sister Mabel St. Louis

The Fourth Sunday of Advent

The Gospel reading for the Fourth Sunday of Advent is rich with meaning for Christians.  It helps us consider where we find Christ in our midst.  Are we prepared to open our eyes to see Christ in the poor and the least powerful in our society? It also asks us to reflect on how we discover Christ being birthed within each of us.  Are we attentive to nurturing that spark within us that is from God; that seed of life that is meant to be born by us individually; that is a gift from God for the world; something unique, that we each have to offer in our own way?  It is necessary that each of us take time to reflect on this call. This precious gift that may manifest itself differently as we find ourselves at different stages in our lives, is nonetheless ours to give, through God’s grace working in us.

However, what caught my imagination in this Sunday’s Gospel was Joseph; dear Joseph, who must have been completely bewildered and disappointed upon discovering his future bride was already pregnant.  And yet (with some persuasion from an angel) was willing to support and love Mary, and Jesus, as his family – contradicting the norms of society and his own reason. Joseph offered Mary a home, a community, in which she could give birth to Emmanuel, thereby fulfilling God’s plan.

This calls me to reflect on the importance of community in our lives.  Who do we spend our time with?  Who challenges us and encourages us to discover Christ within us?  Who supports us as we birth Christ in our daily lives?  And, of equal importance – how do we support and nurture others so that they can discover Christ within themselves individually and as a community of faith?  How do we react when people share with us what they believe to be true. Are we dismissive?  Do we challenge them immediately?  Or do we walk with them, and help them to unpack that truth more fully.

In a world that has become increasingly private, I have been profoundly moved and inspired in my ministry by a pretty incredible group of young adults who have come together this year.  They are at different points in their lives—some are students, some are just starting careers—but they share a bond through their faith.  I’m inspired as I observe the care, concern and gentle love that they have for one another.  They share ideas, and wonderings about their individual journeys. They call one another to authenticity, and they support one another as they discover their unique gifts. They listen to one another and God speaking through the other.

This type of community of faith is important for each of us as we discern, and birth Jesus in our hearts. Perhaps we can spend some time this advent season reflecting on not only on where Christ is in our own hearts, but on how we support and foster relationship with those we encounter – recognizing that Christ is also present there. How do we listen to God’s word together?

- Annette Donovan Panchaud, Associate, The Sisters of St. Joseph

 

 

The Pen Is Stronger Than the Sword

On December 10th, a group of Sisters of St. Joseph (pictured) met in London, Ontario to once again join Amnesty International’s annual Write for Rights campaign.  Each year, we feel a sense of solidarity knowing that thousands around the world are joining the writing force to bring to world leaders’ attention the many global individuals who are unjustly accused of wrongdoing and to appeal for their release.

This year, one of the issues upon which I wrote to the Canadian government is the ongoing mercury poisoning crisis of the Grassy Narrows First Nations, a northern Ontario Native community near Kenora. In the 1960s, the government allowed 10 tons of waste from a pulp mill to be dumped into their English and Wabigoon river system. Fifty years later, in a youth led campaign and supported by Amnesty International, the Grassy Narrows people are still fighting for justice in the face of ongoing mercury poisoning.

Lest you think that our letters fall on deaf ears, Amnesty provides us with updates on how people who have been wrongly accused have been released from prison due in part to bringing to government our concerns and the call for release of victims from prison.  For instance, The Amnesty website posted that Eskiner Nega, a renowned Ethiopian journalist who had been jailed over nine times for doing his job, was released in 2018.  Mr. Nega writes, “I received letters of support from Amnesty International.  It helped keep up my morale and it lifted the spirits of my family.  I am glad I inspired people to write. I am proud of that.  Nothing beats the written word”.

Although letter writing takes some time and effort, our group netted 96 letters.  Written support of others is time well spent, knowing that a every act performed with love and commitment helps to bring peace and change to a troubled world.

-Sister Jean Moylan, csj