Magnificat

"Mary said:

“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my savior.
for he has looked upon his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm,
and has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel
for he remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children for ever.”

Mary remained with Elizabeth about three months
and then returned to her home."

Luke 1:46-56

How does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

Mary set out in those days
and traveled to the hill country in haste
to a town of Judah,
where she entered the house of Zechariah
and greeted Elizabeth. 
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,
“Most blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb. 
And how does this happen to me,
that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 
For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears,
the infant in my womb leaped for joy. 
Blessed are you who believed
that what was spoken to you by the Lord
would be fulfilled.”


Luke 1:39-45


Have you seen that 'Social Network Christmas' that is all over the internet?  (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sghwe4TYY18)  Of the many things about it that I like, one is that is humanizes the events.  The less popular version (at least according to youtube- 300,000 vs over a million page views.) is mainly from Joseph's perspective.  It is very sweet.  I may be a bit biased; Joseph is on of my favorite Saints.  It highlights a very human moment, when Joseph knows that Mary is pregnant, but before he has heard from and Angel.  He knew Mary well, and must have known that she was telling the truth, but who could understand or accept that truth?  


He was a faithful man.  On Sunday, the priest at my Church preached that Joseph was needed the Angel's reassurance, not because he doubted, but because he was humble.  He could not believe that he would be chosen to play such an important role in God's plan.  It is not in scripture, but I prefer to believe it was both.


The video also gives particular prominence to the relationship which Mary and Elizabeth shared.  There is not a lot said about that relationship.  They must have been close, though.  Mary, pregnant, came to visit Elizabeth when Elizabeth who was also pregnant.  Elizabeth was nearing the end of her pregnancy, and Mary was close to the beginning of hers.  I can imagine Mary, young and pregnant, going to help her older cousin.  She would have been helpful, but I imagine she also would have had a lot of questions.  Is this normal?  All mothers ask that question hundreds of times.  Mary's pregnancy was not normal.  I mean, maybe it was in most ways, we don't know.  But the conception was not.  I wonder if she went to Elizabeth, who was also a woman of faith, to ask "Is this normal, or is this a God-pregnancy thing?"


I remember at my first communion, when I took a sip from the chalice, the liquid warmed me.  It seemed to go directly to my heart, and ignite a comfortable glow.  I had been taught well, and I knew that the bread and wine had become the true body of our Lord.  What I did not know was whether that warmth was an accidental of what was once wine, or was is the result of consuming the Lord's flesh.  I wonder how many moments like that Mary had.  


On arriving at her cousin's house, Mary got a beautiful, but not normal, greeting.  Elizabeth called her, "the mother of my Lord."  She is, of course.  But she is also cousin.  Elizabeth's greeting is effusive, but it lack familiarity.  Mary must have struggled enormously.  Some people think she is crazy.  Some think she is a liar.  Some think she is self-righteous.  Even the ones who loved and believed her, looked at her in a new way that was less personal.  I have no doubt that the two women got through the amazement, are were able to go on as family.  Mary did stay for a few months, after all, waiting on Elizabeth.  

John, even before birth, announced Christ.  John leapt in his mother's womb.  If she had any doubt about Mary's miracle, John relieved her of it.  Before he had a voice, he was witness to Jesus.  


The humility of all these people is notable.  Joseph is to humble to accept his role, until God sent an angel to him.  Mary too is humble in her acceptance.  ("Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word." Luke 1:38)  Elizabeth cannot believe that Mary, though her cousin, would come to her.  Hers is a prayer that we can share.  When Mary comes, she helps.  She listens and prays with us.  She prays for us.  She brings us to her Son.


"How does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?"


and she answers, returning our eyes to God, "The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.  His mercy is from age to age to those who fear him."


"Give thanks to God, bless his name; good indeed is the LORD, Whose love endures forever, whose faithfulness lasts through every age."  Psalm 100:5

Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

If there is such thing as a secular Advent carol, that song is it.

Christmas is just around the corner.   My house smells like Christmas.  In my world, that means gingerbread cookies and pine tree.  We always cut down a tree, because I love the smell.  There are some beautiful artificial trees out there, but none that replicate the smell.  I decorated my front windows and door with pine branches.  It smells wonderful.

I would love to be one of those people who could announce to the world that I am ready, but I'd be lying.  I still have presents to make.  I have not done any wrapping yet.  I do not have a fireplace, so I have to choose where to hang the stockings, and I have to hang them.

I am feeling better about my Christmas preparations, as of today, though.  Today I went to confession.  Thank you, dear Lord, for the grace of the sacraments.  I am made new!  I am refreshed!  I am ready to party!

Tomorrow, I come.

We are in the final days.  There is a very beautiful set of antiphons which are commonly sung in this final week.  The word antiphon comes from Greek, and it means 'opposite voice.'  It refers to music which is sung in a call and response form.  The O antiphons are traditionally sung during the octave (eight days) preceding Christmas.  There are seven antiphons, not eight.  The eighth day is Christmas Eve.


The o antiphons are ancient.  They are not one of our modern inventions or prayers.  They are mentioned by Christians as early as the fifth century.  They have stood the test of time for many because they are simple, but have rich meaning.  


The antiphons each describe two complementary things.  Each one voices a name for our Lord, and each one alludes to the messianic prophesy declaring to that name.  When you sing them you call God and recall scripture.  It is a device that gives Christian context to the Old Testament verses.  They are mini-meditations on the person of Jesus Christ.  


Interestingly, in Latin, the antiphons are as follows:
Sapientia
Adonai
Radix Jesse
Clavis David
Oriens
Rex Gentium
Emmanuel


It would be more interesting if you spoke Latin.  (I don't.)  The first letter of each, in reverse order spells "Ero cras."  That, I am assured, means "Tomorrow, I come."  A simple acrostic to help people remember.  Tomorrow could be any day.  Jesus is coming back.  We cannot know when, so we have to remain ready.  


The O antiphons teach us who Jesus is, and remind us to keep ready- all in just a few words each day.    


Here they are in English:

December 17
O Wisdom of our God Most High, (O Sapientia, Isaiah 11:2)
guiding creation with power and love:
come to teach us the path of knowledge!

December 18
O Leader of the House of Israel, (O Adonai, Isaiah 33:22)
giver of the Law to Moses on Sinai:
come to rescue us with your mighty power!

December 19 
O Root of Jesse’s stem, (O Radix Jesse, Isaiah 11:1)
sign of God’s love for all his people:
come to save us without delay!

December 20 
O Key of David, (Clavis David, Isaiah 22:22)
opening the gates of God’s eternal Kingdom:
come and free the prisoners of darkness!

December 21
O Radiant Dawn, (O Oriens, Isaiah 9:2)
splendor of eternal light, sun of justice:
come and shine on those who dwell in darkness and in the
shadow of death.

December 22
O King of all nations and keystone of the Church: (O Rex Gentium, Isaiah 2:4)
come and save man, whom you formed from the dust!

December 23
O Emmanuel, our King and Giver of Law: (O Emmanuel, Isaiah 7:14)
come to save us, Lord our God!
http://www.usccb.org/advent/prayers.shtml#antiphons

Dream

I did not write yesterday.  Mea culpa.  I was not home.  I was tempted to write about the Dream Act today, instead of writing about Advent.  I decided that would be tantamount to skipping twice.  So I won't.  


I read the Christmas letter from the Catholic charity, Casa Juan Diego.  They are the Catholic Worker House in Houston, and this is how their letter began.  
"The spirit of Christmas is very important to us. We cannot live without it—the spirit that says that it is better to give than receive—not to receive presents, but be a presence to those in need. We ask your prayers that the spirit of Christmas remain with us not only now, but the year round."
http://www.cjd.org/paper/christma.html


They are in need.  Some years are harder than others, and this year is exceptionally hard for a lot of people.  Years like this really strap the man power and bed space of charities who, like CJD, care for the poor directly. 


When Joseph and Mary arrived in Bethlehem, there was no where for them to stay.  I imagine that some people did have room, but did not think that the plight of these poor migrants was their problem.  I imagine that some people had room, but were unaware of the need.  I could be wrong, of course.  We do not know.  


Mary and Joseph came to Bethlehem out of necessity.  No one travels uncomfortably pregnant and without arranged lodging by choice.  It must have been easy for the people who did find rooms, and the people who lived in the town to judge them.  Who does that?  Why didn't they make better arrangements, or arrangements at all?  It must have been easy to brush them off.  Why should I make a sacrifice to care for people who came less prepared?


When Mary had her baby, her first visitors were strangers.  She was not surrounded by family, or even well wishing neighbors who must have noticed that this pregnant woman needed help.  She had her husband, St. Joseph.  She had her faith.  She gave her fears to God, and did what she had to do, without knowing what would happen.  


The shepherds who came to welcome the new baby were poor.  They had nothing to give, but they came.  It is hard for me to imagine what was going through their minds.  I like to imagine what Mary and Joseph must have thought, though.  These strangers- dirty, straight from the fields- came in love and awe.  It must have been very moving, and also comforting, the love that these men brought.  


What did Jesus say about the final judgement?

"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.  For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, a stranger and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.'  Then they will answer and say, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?'  He will answer them, 'Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.'"


We are entering the last week of Advent.  In these last few days we are very excited!  Christmas is almost here!  However, if we fail to notice and care for those in need around us, we may as well skip the holiday.  The words of our Lord are not easy, they are harsh.  But they are clear.  Damnation happens.  People who thought they lived well will go to Hell because they did not see our Lord in the faces of the sick, the ill, the imprisoned, the stranger.  Would you notice Mary and Joseph on your doorstep- dirty, exhausted, poor and in need?  Would you help?  They are there.  Will you help?

"As we approach Advent, we must be aware that we are approaching the One who sends us on mission. In general, He sends all of us on mission to proclaim the joy that is based in Him. But, on a more personal level, He gives each and every member of His Body a mission to live that joy in a unique way. "


I don't know who wrote that.  It is written by way of introduction for Fr. Robert Barron.  Here it the webpage.
http://www.wordonfire.org/WoF-Blog/WoF-Blog/December-2010/Advent--Discerning-the-Will-of-God.aspx


Joy is underrated.  It is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit!  


"In contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.  Against such there is no law."  Galations 5:22-23


The rest are virtues we usually think about trying to achieve.  Joy, well, we tend to think if it as a side effect.  I like the quote, because it directs us to aspire to joy.  


In a recent conversation a friend said, "I know its Advent, and I am not supposed to be joyful but..."  We are supposed to be joyful!  Even in Advent!  'Penitential season' does not mean 'season of unhappiness.'  We must repent of our sin- but with joy in the knowledge of forgiveness.  During penitential seasons we are supposed to increase in prayer, fasting and almsgiving.  Which of these saps joy?  None should.  The reason we do these things is to grow closer to God.  Growing closer to God means living in His Spirit.  The fruits of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  


"Yes, and I ask you also, my true yokemate, to help them, for they have struggled at my side in promoting the gospel, along with Clement and my other co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.  Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice!"  Philippians 4:3-4


In this letter, Paul acknowledges the hardship, but the theme is joy.  This is the our mission: Rejoice!  Aspire to joy.


Prepare for the Lord joyfully!  


and, because I love William Byrd:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lg00ccXEdyw&feature=related

The Devil in Advent

I am making my Christmas gifts this year.  I don't really like shopping and I do like crafts, so this is not the sacrifice it would be for some.  Mostly, I wanted to see if I could.  I wondered, if I cannot buy anything new, I have to make everything, will I come up with gifts I am proud to give?  The results are mixed.  I can tell you this, I am less stressed out than I usually am.

Some people (I am told) shop early and are finished before I have begun.  Their presents are neatly wrapped and labeled under a Christmas tree.  Mine?  I have finished some.  They are scattered around my first floor in the vicinity of the wrapping paper, which remains on the roll, close to where my tree is likely to be this weekend.  I am an excellent procrastinator.  Even in other years, when I bought presents, I would still be shopping in the last week before Christmas.  It was a little bit crazy, for a person who puts things off as well as I do, to think that making gifts would be a good idea.

Some people, I am told, enjoy shopping.  They like the crowded malls and the thrill of seeking.  I don't hate it.  I admit that I enjoy the thrill when I convince myself I have gotten an excellent deal on something.

People are very different.

A friend recently pointed out that this time of year seems to bring out the best and the worst in people.  When we go out this time of year, strangers smile at each other.  People greet one another.  Everyone has a few coins for charity.  Food banks are stocked.  We get in touch with family, who never otherwise hear from us.  We send cards to friends we have not thought about since last Christmas.  Church attendance goes up.  We spend hours agonizing about what we can give to make certain specific people smile.

On the other hand, malls are crowded so we fight over parking spaces and the last whatever-was-cool-this-year.  We are exhausted and we irritate easily.  We turn very materialistic.  We even fight about appropriate ways greet one another.  Seasons greetings?  Merry Christmas?  Happy Holidays?

The devil works his hardest when the stakes are the highest.  This season of Advent is a season when people turn away from sin, and back to our God.  We are getting ready for our King.  We are preparing to face judgement, and the devil knows.  Even for Christians who are not thinking about Advent, but are already celebrating the birth our Christ, the devil would love to undermine that celebration.

I don't think the devil cares whether we say Merry Christmas or happy holidays, as long as we fight about it.  He uses our generosity against us.  If we absolutely must have the latest and the best for the people we love, we are bound to get in fights with others who want the same.  Since we are all working so hard to prepare, he uses our exhaustion as a vehicle into out minds and hearts, intent on disrupting any good that may come of our preparations.

Vigilance.  The devil would love to turn Advent and Christmas into opportunities for sin.  He delights in turning good things bad.  He cannot create.  God is the Creator.  He can only lie and distort.  His genius lies in his ability to twist things until they are no longer resemble what was were created.  The greater the possible good, the harder he will work to make it bad.

The good news is, he cannot win against God.  Think about what is stressing you out, and give it to God.  Maybe give it up.  People are very different.  Each of us has different stresses and pleasures.  Think about what yours are, and offer them to God.  If God is guiding you, the devil cannot.  Pray and fast.