Month: December 2020

Had enough of 2020 yet? This year certainly has been the most upside down, topsy-turvy, uncertain and unexpected as I can ever remember. It’s like swimming in the Ocean against the waves. I feel like a kid with a bully on top of me making me cry out uncle. UNCLE already.

As a people, nation and community we have continued to face an unseen virus and its consequences— it seems to mirror another disease with which we continue to struggle: Injustice and racism. Marches and protest erupt out of the angst of inequality and disparity. Anger and Frustration come from not being included and heard. No mask can protect a person or community from that reality.

The First Reading from today’s liturgy comes from the Prophet Isaiah. The prophet paints a picture of JUSTICE. If injustice is the disease, the Messiah is the cure. He shall embody everything desired by the poor, afflicted, downtrodden, those who are the focus of gossip and derision. Tough justice …but not just that. This long awaited Messiah will also bring harmony, peace. Messiah will not only bring justice—with his coming is restoration.

Read it for yourself! Believe it!

IS 11:1-10

On that day. A shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse,and from his roots a bud shall blossom.

The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him:

ASpirit of wisdom and of understanding, A Spirit of counsel and of strength,

A Spirit of knowledge and of fear of the LORD, and his delight shall be the fear of the LORD.

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.

He shall strike the ruthless with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked.

Justice shall be the band around his waist, and faithfulness a belt upon his hips.

Then the wolf shall be a guest of the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; The calf and the young lion shall browse together, with a little child to guide them.

The cow and the bear shall be neighbors, together their young shall rest; the lion shall eat hay like the ox. The baby shall play by the cobra’s den,

and the child lay his hand on the adder’s lair. There shall be no harm or ruin on all my holy mountain;

for the earth shall be filled with knowledge of the LORD, as water covers the sea.

On that day, The root of Jesse, set up as a signal for the nations, The Gentiles shall seek out,for his dwelling shall be glorious.

You know you’re getting old when you start marking significant moments in your life by decades and not by years! It’s hard to believe it was 25 years ago. If I close my eyes I can re-live that time in vivid detail. Looking back, I can say that the pain of that time was life-changing. And now that pain, as unwelcome as it was then, is an anchor of trust.

Twenty-five years ago I was face to face with darkness…I was depressed.

I remember going late one night into the chapel to pray, or just to be. In the silence of the moment the words from a song that was played is it meditation hymn at Mass came to settle into my heavy soul. Holy Darkness.

How could this darkness or depression be in any remote way called “holy”? But it was. This darkness lead me deeper within myself and closer to the one who makes all things holy. Just like walking into a pitch black room, knowing where the light switch is, but not being able to see it, I needed to trust. The switch hadn’t moved. Trust was needed to walk in darkness.

As little children, what do we do? We as our parents to turn on the lights… in the basement…in a dark room or closet. We need light. We fear the dark. We hesitate. We need light.

The first candle on the Advent wreath reminds us that Jesus Christ is the light of the world. He leads us through darkness toward himself — miraculously then, we become light.

As Advent begins, I thought I’d offer the words of that song for reflection…darkness compels us to grasp for light. Don’t grasp…trust! Ask your Heavenly Father to turn it on.

Holy darkness

Holy darkness, blessed night. Heaven’s answer hidden from our sight As we await you, O God of silence. We embrace your holy night

I have tried you in the fires of affliction. I have taught your soul to grieve. In the barren soil of your loneliness. There I will plant my seed

In the deepest hour of your darkness I will give you wealth untold. When the silence stills your spirit. Will my riches fill your soul.

Holy darkness, blessed night Heaven’s answer hidden from our sight. As we await you, O God of silence. We embrace your holy night.