Reflections on the Sunday Readings for 11/30/08 by Dawn

You can find all of this week's Scripture at www.usccb.org/nab/113008.shtml

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Be watchful! Be alert!
You do not know when the time will come.
It is like a man traveling abroad.
...and orders the gatekeeper to be on the watch.
Watch, therefore;
you do not know when the Lord of the house is coming..."
(Mark 13:334-35)

It doesn't seem possible that a new Church year has begun, that we've entered the season of Advent. When we enter the church building we may notice the Advent wreath and the purple altar cloth, instead of the white. Indications that this is no longer Ordinary Time, instead we're in a season of waiting - waiting for the birth of our Savior. We often speak of Advent as a time of "waiting in joyful hope".

I often equate waiting with boredom. My mother will tell you that when I'm bored, I'm awful to be around. As a teenager, when I was bored I would mope and whine for something fun to do. I can be very annoying, believe it or not! But boredom is not what Advent is about. Instead, we're asked to be actively waiting. This sounds like an oxymoron, but it's not. It is demonstrated in today's Gospel - we are supposed to be like a gatekeeper, or watchman. The job of a gatekeeper was not only to keep out people that shouldn't be allowed to enter, but also to watch for the return of their master and to announce to the household when they were approaching. So it is the same with us. We need to make sure to keep out those things that shouldn't enter our interior dwelling, but we also need to keep watch for our Master, and to announce his coming to those we encounter.

We do this active waiting in many different ways during Advent. We may spend a little more time in prayer each day, using the "Little Blue Book" available in church; perhaps in the new year of Spirit Alive! we spend more time reading Scripture. We may take a tag off the giving tree or buy food to give to the food pantry or Christmas baskets; perhaps we ring bells for Salvation Army, or help sort presents or food; maybe it's having an Advent wreath in our own homes and lighting the candles before each meal; or we may make a special effort to examine our conscience and go to confession before Christmas. However you spend your time during Advent, remember that this season is meant to be one of actively waiting and watching.

The part about announcing the return of the master is harder for me. For me, it's much easier to talk about God and faith issues with those who hold the same beliefs as I do. We're called, though, to share our faith with everyone. This does not mean you need to bang people over the head with a Bible, but maybe it's just sharing with a coworker, friend or spouse where you witnessed God at work during the day. During this Advent is there someone in your life to whom you should announce the coming of the Lord?


Please share your thoughts with us by posting a comment.

Reflections on the Sunday Readings for 11/23/08 by Marie

You can find all of this week's Scripture at www.usccb.org/nab/112308.shtml

Thus says the Lord GOD:
I myself will look after and tend my sheep.
As a shepherd tends his flock
when he finds himself among his scattered sheep,
so will I tend my sheep.

(Ezekiel 34:11-12)

Recently as American citizens we elected our new government officials – and many of us - especially rejoiced in electing our new president. Our leaders, however, expect that we do our part as well. Today, we rejoice and celebrate another leader, Christ our King. What kind of leader do we find in Jesus Christ? And what does He expect of us? And who are those family members, friends, and others who enflesh following Jesus for us?

In our first reading, Ezekiel images God as shepherd, totally spending himself in caring for, guiding, and protecting His sheep. When the sheep (us) stray, God more than willingly goes out of his way to find and bring us back into the fold. God’s presence and faithfulness is steadfast – even when we fail to notice it. One of my sisters comes to mind. During the early days of their marriage, her first husband was caught being unfaithful. She painfully and compassionately took him back… mindful of their 2 young children needed a father. Later, he repeated the same behavior… and this time, this led to divorce. However, my sister made it a priority that their now 3 children remained on good terms with their father, and received the financial support that they deserved. Often… this was not easy!

The psalmist, David, echoes this same image when he says, “The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing that I shall want.” God’s love and tender care … particularly in moments of darkness … transcends all. For David, God’s presence is so fulfilling... his desire to follow God is so total, nothing else satisfies. When I think of generosity of spirit, my friend, Ruth, comes to mind. Her faith and love for Jesus and following His path, lavishly spills over for all who desire to hear. She especially comforts those who grieve, nourishes those struggling with illness into her home or goes to their home to care for them. She listens to the stories of those who bring their clothing for repairs – which occasionally challenges her seamstress skills.

We may in wonder how can this be? Paul in today’s writings provides a clue. Jesus has already died for our sinfulness, our failings. All is new… and made whole. As the “new Adam”, Jesus modeled - and continues to model - what new life is like. We became citizens of Jesus’ kingdom through our Baptism; we became “the elect”. Perhaps, our parents, step-parents or another person made this decision for us. Or maybe, we made this decision in later life to become followers of Jesus. Often times, we need to look back before looking ahead…

It was a late autumn Sunday. We stood there… around the Paschal candle of St. John’s Church, Clyde, NY. My dad, brother – Joe – and I stood on the sacred grounds where our ancestors settled and prayed. His parents brought him to church to share and hand- down their faith to their son and a lot of life has transpired since December 29, 1915. And now he returned… as an elderly, fragile person… whose life was spent serving... and continues to serve without recognizing it. His “doing” and “being there for” as husband, father, son, brother, friend, and legal counselor has given way to simply “being present” to family, friends, and staff at his assisted living facility. Dad spends much time sharing his rich stories, often comforts those grieving the loss of their spouse – just as he grieves the loss of his beloved, Julie. The “being present” is what Lazarus’ sister, Mary, was praised for in another Scripture reflection.

How are combining the “doing” required of daily living with the “being”? The Gospel today serves as a guide on “how to” live as a citizen of Jesus’ kingdom. As a leader, Jesus reflected and modeled His Father’s unconditional love, compassionate care, and unlimited forgiveness. As disciples, how are we….how am I … radiating this same love, care, and forgiveness on the sacred grounds of where I trek in daily living? As you reread the passage, invite Jesus – as your leader - to graze in your heart. Notice and listen what causes a stir within you. Then consider and take a small step in living it…. and see where it leads… and what new life it brings.

Please share your thoughts with us by posting a comment.

Reflections on the Sunday Readings for 11/16/08 by Dawn

You can find all of this week's Scripture at www.usccb.org/nab/111608.shtml

When one finds a worthy wife, her value is far beyond pearls.
Her husband, entrusting his heart to her, has an unfailing prize.
She brings him good, and not evil, all the days of her life.
She obtains wool and flax and works with loving hands.
She puts her hands to the distaff, and her fingers ply the spindle.
She reaches out her hands to the poor,
and extends her arms to the needy.
Charm is deceptive and beauty fleeting;
the woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
Give her a reward for her labors,
and let her works praise her at the city gates.
(Prv 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31)

I suppose that some members of the feminist movement might not like this passage so much. However, when I hear this passage I think of all the women I have met in my life who this depicts. My mother, my grandmother, a few other role models I have met along the journey. Mostly, though, I think of Monica Greene, or Monnie, as I always called her. Monnie and Chuck, her husband, were an older couple my parents met when they were first married. I think of her because these verses perfectly describe her. When I was little we spent a lot of time at their house. I have the happiest memories of playing cards with Monnie, thanks to her generous nature, I seem to have one a lot!

I don't recall her talking too much about God or religion, but I knew that her faith was of the utmost importance to her. She always went to Mass and prayed the Rosary, but there was much more. She had a wonderful sense of humor, but at the same time, such a sense of reverence when the time was appropriate. I think that I first learned what it meant to be holy be being at Monnie's side. Little comments she made, or things she did taught me the difference. Every Sunday there would be a priest or two over to her house for dinner. It wasn't unusual for her to have a whole houseful of religious men and women when you stopped by. Monnie was a woman who "feared the Lord" and everyone knew it.

Monnie was the best cook I knew. Whenever you walked in her house you could smell something delicious. But it wasn't all for her family. She was generous beyond belief. Whenever you visited her, you left her house with an armful of some wonderful treasure - from homemade jam to some delicious cookies - it was awesome. She also freely gave of her time. She took care of her aging mother, who wasn't the easiest person to get along with, and would give anything she could to those in need. The people of St Vincent de Paul Church in Churchville were very fortunate to have her as a volunteer.

This passage from Proverbs refers to the woman who puts her hand to the distaff - I had to look up what that was - a distaff is a tool used in spinning wool into yarn. While Monnie didn't spin, she was a magnificent seamstress. I still have a few of the clothes she made for me when I was a child, they are more well made than anything you could buy in the store. She and her sister would spend hours sewing and, again, what they were making was not usually for them, but for someone else who could benefit from them.

I remember thinking of this passage at her funeral. The church was full of people who had loved and been loved by Monnie. As the last line of the reading says: "let her works praise her at the city gates". In life she would have never allowed the tribute that was given to her, but there, members of the community and people from all walks of life praised her for all the good she had done.

All this is not to say that if you don't do what is described in the passage, that you are a failure (I know just as many wonderful women who are not married and who don't know the first thing about sewing!). But it does have value in showing that if we're willing to share them, God uses all of our gifts and talents (see Gospel), for the building of his Kingdom.


Please share with us your thoughts about these readings by posting a comment.

Reflections on the Sunday Readings for 11/9/08 by Trixie

You can find all of this week's Scripture at www.usccb.org/nab/110908.shtml

[Jesus'] disciples recalled the words of scripture,

"Zeal for your house will consume me."

(John 2:17)

“I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord”. These words were on the big archway going into the Sunday School room in the church I attended as a child. These same words, from Psalm 122, were used at the funeral a few years ago of Helen Morrissey, a lady who played keyboard in local Catholic churches for many years. I can understand why Helen chose them for her funeral. Ever since I started taking organ lessons at age twelve I have spent many hours each week in a church practicing. As a young student it was an hour every morning before school in the local Presbyterian Church. As I moved on to college, a job, marriage, and my own family the particular church changed, but there always was a church. For the past 14 years it has been St. Mary’s in Canandaigua. For me, being in church feels like home, and it is very rare that I am not glad to be there. At St. Mary’s especially, I notice I am not the only one who likes being in the church when it is empty of people. When I am practicing I often see folks slip in quietly for a few minutes of prayer. For all of us there is something very special about being in God’s house.

This week we celebrate the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome, the Pope’s church, the Cathedral of the Diocese of Rome. I actually saw this church when I went to Rome a few years ago, and it is quite impressive! All our readings this weekend speak to the place of God’s dwelling. The Old Testament reading, of course, speaks of the temple where our Jewish ancestors would go to worship God. The beautiful part of the reading to me is the image of a river flowing forth from the temple, blessing and giving life to everything it touches on its way to the sea. Should we, as God’s people, be like this river as we leave Mass each week, going out into a world which so desperately needs our fresh water? The Psalm continues the image of water and the unshakable city of God.

St Paul, in our New Testament reading, takes the idea of a temple one step further. We, all of us, are God’s temple. We build one on another, from generation to generation, with Jesus Christ as our foundation. What an awesome responsibility – to be the dwelling place of God!

The Gospel shows us a side of Jesus we don’t see too often. Instead of a loving, kind, shepherd, we see a man full of righteous indignation striding into the temple in Jerusalem. With a whip made of cords he drives the money changers out of the temple. “Zeal for your house will consume me.” That’s what the Old Testament Scripture said. At this point Jesus goes on to foretell his own death, saying that the temple of His Body will be destroyed, but raised again in three days. Can we strive to be like Jesus and make our bodies, like our churches, the dwelling place of God?

Please share with us your thoughts about these readings by posting a comment.