I think sometimes we lock God up in church and don’t let Him meet us anywhere else. We banish him from our everyday activities. Not on purpose, it’s just that we think sports, music, nature, emotions and friendships, are for us and church is for God.

It’s really too bad because we limit God’s loving ways. The Holy Spirit (God’s love) comes to us in so many ways. One of his favorite tricks is to play “Peek a Boo”. God gives us flashes of his royal robe. He opens our eyes to see what is hidden in the everyday.

What is this experience? It’s called Wonder. Children have it all the time. Hopefully you’ve had it too. It starts with a simple observation of life around us and leads to a “moment” where we experience the sheer beauty or power or mystery contained in what we are observing.

Words sort of fail us. We can’t describe what we’ve heard or seen. But we know what it feels like. It feels like we’re in the presence of a masterpiece, something exquisite to overwhelm us with beauty or emotion or truth or mystery.

But what’s best about these moments (the wonder part) is the question left hanging in the air: “WHERE did this come from?!” Or perhaps more accurately, “How can this be?” and “Why does this effect me so deeply?!” . . . It’s God, silly . . . trying to get your attention.

Any one of these can be an occasion for wonder:

• The ocean, the waves, the horizon
• Seagulls riding a lake breeze
• The strict salute of a young soldier
• The folds and color of a rose
• A baby’s smell
• The eyes of a child
• The full moon on new snow
• A Tea Party with your granddaughter
• A lover’s first spoken “I love you”
• Hearing “I love you” back
• A base hit in little league
• The day you could finally ride a bike
• Sitting on your dad’s lap, playing with his giant fingers
• Really hearing a great piece of music
• Sitting in an empty cathedral
• Tears upon finishing some effort that took everything you had
• Burying a parent
• Holding a grandchild
• Winning a game in triple overtime
• Losing a game in triple overtime
• Watching the snow fall
• Counting the stars at night
• (What would you add for your wonderments . . . . ?)

Moments of wonder can open a window through which we catch a glimpse of a world filled with a beauty and mystery that far surpasses our ability to fully understand it. Yet it will not let us leave that place without whispering to us . . . “See that? Did you like that? . . . It’s only a shadow of my love for you.”

Read psalm 139 for a beautiful moment of wonder. It all leads to a surrender to faith . . . “Oh Lord, How great you are. Thank you for letting me live and have my being. Thank you for letting me see/feel this moment”

I hope you take time this Advent Season to experience the beauty of this world and of our lives as human beings. Don’t try too hard though. Just let the moment be what it wants to be in you.

Remember God loves you and made this world for all of us.

Oh Come, Oh Come, Emmanuel

Fr. Tim

Advent (from the Latin, ad venio) means “to come” or “the coming”. It is a time when we begin to watch for something that we’re told is coming toward us. But for now . . . it’s not here yet.

This creates a tension that most of us don’t like. My eye wants to see “it”. The act of looking is a search for an object to lock onto. But when I look – – it’s not there.

So what do we do? If it’s important enough, we keep looking which then becomes waiting. Waiting is not our favorite thing. We’ve tried over the past thirty years to do away with as much waiting as possible. Think of it: instant coffee, microwave cooking, fast food, 4G hook-ups, bar codes, email, computer banking, speed dating etc. etc.

Ask any systems engineer and they will tell you that waiting is wasted time. It’s bad business. Time is money.

Then right in the middle of the busiest time of the year we have this totally contrary message from the Church. She tells us to “prepare”, to “expect”, to “hope for”, yes, to “long for”. Waiting is good she tells us. It’s a sign of love. We wait expectantly for that which we love.

And isn’t it the case that those things which are most precious are just the ones that cannot be hurried? Let’s be honest, waiting requires patience (Latin, “pati” – to suffer). Ask an expectant mother what waiting is all about. To have her child within her, yet longing to hold the tiny one and see the face she has created.

There really is no other way to spin it. It takes endurance, strength, and forbearance to remain in a state of expectation. It stretches us. Proves our love for that which is “coming”.

So what do we “do” in this time of waiting? A few suggestions:

• Be patient in whatever line you find yourself in. (Hegedorns, DMV). Maybe a “How’s it going”, to the person waiting next to you.
• Be kind to whoever is attending your line. –Drive friendly.
• Say your prayers in the morning (add about 2 minutes to just stare out your window.)
• Think of someone who’s having a hard time right now. Say a prayer for them. Send them a card.
• Give some money away.
• Reflect on a particular bad habit of yours. Use it to remind yourself to be patient with others.
• Take a ride in the country. –Pray for loved ones lost.
• Help a young person. It’s scary out there. Remember what it was like for you? Let them know they can do it.
• Trust God (and surrender to the grace he gives) to bring something good out of the messes we have made.

God loves you. You are His child. A Blessed Advent Sunday.

Fr. Tim

Fr. John and I have been watching football on Sundays and catching the evening news on TV. Like you, we’ve been assailed with commercials for Christmas shopping.

Let’s see . . . should I surprise Fr. John with a new Mercedes in the garage? Should I make my great nieces go berserk with the latest toys? What should I do to make this the Best Christmas Ever?

Please. I’m not being grumpy here. I just want us to be aware of the constant pull on us to “hurry”, “buy”, “celebrate”, “surprise”, and “cherish the season”. Rather, . . .take your time. Remember as kids? We wanted dessert first, then the meal. We had to learn the proper order of things.

The Church (who started these “holy days” in the first place) shows us how to properly travel these next four weeks. She urges us to practice a few things that our society has no regard for.

Things like:

• Finding time to be quiet. Turn off the TV. It can lead to prayer and reflection.
• Doing small things with love (avoid big and flashy stuff).
• Ignore totally anything that promises to make you, “or someone you love” “feel that special feeling of the season”. Baloney.
• Performing small actions of caring that no one will know it was you.
• Being a quiet presence to people you know to be suffering sorrow.
• Avoid like the plague the TV specials: “Country Christmas”, “Honkey Tonk Holiday”, “Rudolph’s Reindeer Romp”, “Christmas in Ireland/Tuscany/Manhatten/Botswana”. Why? Because it’s not Christmas yet.
• And oh yeah, then there’s Jesus. His parents were refugees, not yet married when they discovered he was conceived. Now in a foreign land, they snuck into a barn to have the birth.
• So…….go slow.There is a grace from God to help you journey toward Christmas. It’s called Advent.

That, along with any other inspiration God gives you, will be a fine preparation for Christmas.

Be in peace.

Fr. Tim

One of the nice things about getting older is recalling the vast storehouse of experiences life has given us. I say “nice” because these experiences, when they are recalled, have a certain softness to them different than when we first experienced them. Their sharp edges have been rounded by time and history to the point where they can be experienced as “lessons” rather than just intense moments of joy or sorrow. These “lessons” bring wisdom.

Moments of joy for example . . . winning the game, falling in love, getting that job, your first born child . . . in their “remembered state” speak of more than just a brief happy occasion. They point to “Life” in general, its beauty and power. In the accumulated weight of these moments we begin to see what we couldn’t in the blinding light of the moment. We begin to appreciate our lives as a gift.

And moments of sorrow? They too are softened over time . . . a broken relationship, a career failure, sickness, financial trouble . . . to where they are no longer the devastating, destroying final verdict on our lives they were once thought to be. “Look what’s happened and I’m still standing!”

After all has come and gone, the good and the bad, we begin to see what remains . . . what lasts, what’s most important. And what is that? Friends and family of course.. . and Faith in God who has created all this. Life really does get simpler, doesn’t it? And time, that diminishing resource, becomes more precious.

So what do you do with all this wisdom and experience? (Don’t you wish what you know now … you knew back then?!) May I suggest you pass it along. Give it to our young people. Don’t you find the older you get the more tender are the feelings toward our young ones just starting out? You know what they’re going through. You’ve been there. It’s scary at times.

Help them. Encourage them. Let them know that it’s going to work out. Somehow it all works out.

Lastly, please remember those who have been your mentors: parents, teachers, role models who have gone before you. Do you think they’ve stopped pulling for you – – – rooting for you? No way! They love you even more than before. Why?

Because they love you totally in Christ.

God bless you and help you . . . to remember.

Fr. Tim

In this Year of the Eucharist we’ll be looking at the many aspects of this central part of our faith; its theology, history, and spiritual power. But perhaps we might begin our reflections with the more superficial aspects of our mass attendance . . . the giving and receiving of hospitality.

Ancient biblical times placed great importance on the inner meaning of “The Banquet”. It was a very spiritual affair which bonded families and tribal relationships. Strict rules about hospitality made visible how important were these friendships and how not to offend either as a host or as a guest.

First off, if you were the host, you would make sure that proper invitations were delivered. Guests were greeted at the door with ceremonial hand and foot washings. Per- fume was applied to the head and a kiss was bestowed upon their cheek. The finest food and wine was brought forth on the best table settings available. Everything was arranged so as to honor the guests and the occasion that brought them all together.

There were rules too for those invited to the dinner. Prop- er clothes were required for the occasion. (There was a “wedding garment” to be worn if you came to the reception. Mt. 22:14). The seating arrangements were specially set to honor each guest. Please sit where you are told. And of course a guest was expected to enter into the joyful festivities . . . food, wine, conversation, music . . . as a sign of fellowship with the host whose deepest wish is that “you share my joy!”

These rules of hospitality apply in somewhat simpler form in the wedding celebrations of today. Consider the occasion when you dress your absolute best . . . a wedding right? Why? I think it’s a way to “bring our best selves”. To add to the brightness of the occasion as best we can. The bible would say we “give glory” to the gathering.

So what about going to Mass? (You knew this was coming didn’t you?!) Are there things we do that add “glory” to the Sunday Eucharist? Of course there are.

• The way we dress is a sign of the importance we place on our weekly worship. We don’t treat it like a fashion show but “cleaning up” is a good way to hon- or the Lord.
• Our willingness to smile and greet others (yes even strangers) as a prelude to beginning mass. (Perhaps you might even become a parish greeter (call the parish office).
• Or, if you’re really in the spirit, you may slide over in your pew giving them your spot, rather than making someone crawl over you. Imagine that?!
• The way we participate at mass . . . by responding to the prayers, by really listening to the readings and homily, by singing! (“But I don’t sing.” Yes you do. You sang Happy Birthday at your niece’s birthday. So bring your Happy Birthday Voice to mass.)
• Lastly . . . and I have to tell you, this really bugs me . . . we need to stay at mass until it’s over. (I understand there are occasions when you have to be at a certain place at a certain time. I promise I will never ask you why you are leaving and always presume it is for a good reason.)

Picture yourself just finishing a great meal at some banquet. The Guest of Honor is about to speak words of thanks and encouragement to all who have come. And you decide to head out the side door to be home in time to watch “Dancing With the Stars”. Why? The world is always there waiting to jump on. Why do we leave so early the very gathering that helps us face our world and its problems?

Please stay with us. You’ll know when it’s time . . . “Go in peace, the mass is ended.”

God loves you . . . no matter what.

Fr. Tim

. . . Just some questions to take to the bathroom sometime. OR . . . . to prayer.

1. Can you remember a time as a child (@6-12yrs.) that God seemed close to you? Try to remember where you were and how you felt.
2. When I was 10 years old I thought God was like . . .
3. It’s different now that I am older, God seems like . . .
4. Things that help me believe in God are . . .
5. Things that make it hard to believe in God are . . .
6. Praying is essential to growing in Faith. How do you pray? When do you pray?
7. Finish this sentence: “Faith is . . . “
8. How do you know when your love for someone is really real?
9. Have you ever told someone you believe in God?
10. Have you ever hid the fact that you believe in God?
11. Have you ever done something that cost you time and frustration (and gave you nothing in return) solely because it was the right thing to do?
12. Has anything “bad” happened to you that later turned out to be a “blessing”?
13. What is a “blessing”?
14. What do you think children need to know to be come their best selves?
15. Is there anything that brings a tear to your eye? What?
16. Do you think God can bring good things out of the current bickering in Washington, almost monthly acts of senseless violence, natural disasters around the world?
17. Jesus tells us, to be his disciples we must take up our cross daily. What cross (suffering) do you carry every day for Him?
18. “Life is __________ than I thought it would be.” (What “er” word would you use to reflect your thought? . . . . Harder, happier, duller, fuller, emptier, better, scarier, funnier, heavier, etc.)
19. Looking back, do you wish you could change any thing?
20. Looking forward, do you wish to change anything?

. . . Just some questions to take to the bathroom sometime. OR . . . . to prayer.

God’s going to get you. But, you’ve got to let Him.

Fr. Tim

Something quite wonderful has happened in the world of theology these past fifty years. Just prior to Vatican II (1958-1965) some German theologians were working on a new way of explaining who Jesus is and how he achieved the salvation of the human race. It keeps the traditional doctrine of Christ, of course, but adds a new dimension – – – from below.

Most notable in this regard was a theologian named Karl Rahner who, in his Foundations of Christian Faith, pro- posed an “Ascending Christology” which would compliment the traditional “Descending Christology” of the Catholic Church.

The traditional way of viewing Jesus is as the Eternal Word. From all eternity he has existed with the Father and the Holy Spirit. “True God from True God. Consubstantial with the Father”, which we recite in the Creed. Full of divinity and power he “comes down from heaven” and is born among us.

The problem with a “Descending Christology” is that it tends to overshadow Christ’s real humanity. The danger is to see Jesus as basically “God in human clothing”. God uses the humanity of Jesus like a cloak or instrument to work out the divine plan. Jesus’ solidarity with humanity in its real struggles and sufferings can be lost and obscure the critical role of his real humanity.

In “Ascending Christology”, God unites to himself a real humanity in Jesus Christ. Scripture and our Catholic Faith tell us Jesus is human in every way but sin. What does this mean “like us in all things”? Some guidelines for thinking about the nature of Jesus were hammered out at the Council of Nicea in 325 AD.

The Council said Jesus has two natures: the nature of God and the nature of man. These two natures are hypostatically (inseparably) united in one divine person (the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity). Two natures, one divine person. This means our human nature is forever united to God in the Blessed Trinity!

“Ascending Christology” attempts to see Jesus from be- low, in his humanity. If Jesus truly has a human nature then he must have a human consciousness, he thinks as humans do. He must reason, ponder . . . figure things out. Jesus could not have known the world as we know it to- day through science. (When asked when the “end would come?” Jesus said, “I don’t know. That has not been given to me.” If his consciousness is truly human then it is finite, limited. He was tempted (Luke 4).

What I find so inspiring is Jesus smells like us. He really suffers, rejoices, grows angry, and fearful. And yet . . . . he accomplishes the mission he knows he has been chosen to do, namely, in his death and resurrection. Surely Jesus is absolutely exceptional in his humanity. He knew himself to be more than a prophet. He embraced his role as Savior of humanity. But he did all these things as a human being. We are saved by one like us!

And so I can turn to Jesus who knows my limited human heart because he had one of them as well.

Dear Jesus. Truly you know the human heart. Give me courage when my heart grows faint. Give me Faith when all seems dark. Give me Love when my heart is empty. Give me Hope that, in the end, “all will be well.

Because you did it Jesus! You died for us and now you live!

Let Him come to you this week.

Fr. Tim

Our Christmas Star Program, which began 32 years ago, is now a joint effort with HOPE and 4 inner city parishes to provide Christ- mas to families in need. We provide gifts, a holiday meal, food and basic supplies to those who would otherwise go without.

Food collection will begin November 4th and go until December 10th. While we welcome any donated nonperishable food item, we have our grocery list below. Collection bas- kets will be located at all church entrances.

Weekly Collection Items

November 4/5

Pasta/Sauce | Rice | Stuffing

November 11/12

Instant Potatoes | Canned Vegetables | Cereal | Canned Fruit

November 18/19

Flour | Sugar | Gravy | Corn

November 25/26

Shampoo | Soap | Toothpaste | Deodorant | Tissues

December 2/3

Crackers | Peanut butter | Jelly | Cookies | Dish Soap

December 9/10

Canned Meats | Granola Bars | Chunky Soup | Laundry Soap

TURKEYS and HAMS

If you would like to donate a turkey or ham this year, please contact Kasey Baker 265-1616. If you leave a message, please indicate if you are donating a turkey or ham and your name and phone number.

GIFTS

Gift Stars will be available at all entrances to the church and on the Christmas tree in the Gathering Space on the weekend of November 18/19. The wrapped gifts with stars attached will be due back to church on December 9/10.

VOLUNTEERS

We are seeking volunteers for many facets of this wonderful ministry. If you are able to help with:

• Setting up our “Store”
• Grocery Shopping for families (Week of December 11th)
• Drivers for distribution (Saturday morning of December 16th)

So there’s a lull in a conversation with friends and some- one you know, but not all that well, asks you “Have you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior?” Everything stops doesn’t it?

Catholics especially find it hard to answer this question. “I THINK I have,” might be our answer. Pressed further as to when you accepted Jesus someone might say “Well, I go to mass on Sunday”, “I don’t cheat anybody.” “I give to the United Way.” “Oh I don’t know!”

It’s not through any lack of faith that one is left in confusion. It’s just that most Catholics show our faith in a different way. Taking Holy Communion at mass is probably the premiere moment for Jesus and me in the week. Yes, THERE HE IS, my Lord and Savior! (Chances are, our inquiring friend would not understand this answer) . . . And just before that we turn to each other and say “The Peace of Christ be with you!” and we smile at each other and somehow we feel Jesus is with us.

That’s it. That’s Jesus and me. And is He my Lord and Savior? Of course He is!

However . . . that’s not enough. You see our inquiring friend is on to something very important. They take seriously Jesus’ instruction “to go out to all the world and tell the good news”, “go and make disciples . . . teach them everything I have commanded”, etc.

Faith is a gift that is meant to be shared. Christianity is not just about “Jesus and me”, it’s about Jesus, you and me, all of us together. (Why else would Jesus leave the 99 safe in the meadow to search out the lost sheep?)

So how do we uptight Catholics begin to share our faith? It starts with an attitude of AFFECTION. We have to like our neighbor, to genuinely care how they are, to be happy when they are happy and sad when they are sad. Not that everyone is our best friend, but everyone can count on us to be in their corner. We want goodness to find everyone.

Once we have our neighbor fixed in our hearts as “brother” or “sister” we can speak to them as to a friend — – because that’s what they are.

Next we need to check our memory bank for the times God has popped up in our life. These are moments of joy or sorrow, success or failure, where we cried out to God and He heard us, or a joy beyond all expectation filled our hearts. These are our life’s faith stories, our “God history.” These things I know, not because I read about them, but because they happened to me personally. These are the things that Christ asks me to share with my neighbor when the Holy Spirit moves.

So how do I find my “God history”? It really is up to each person to search and find. But here are a few classic moments that many people have found to contain “something from God”.

++ Strangely, God’s grace comes many times in moments of distress. “Powerlessness” is a particular favorite for God to work with. The times, with nowhere else to turn, we finally call out to God . . . “Help me.” And guess what? Something happens.

++ “Things that overwhelm” is another favorite tool God uses to open our eyes. Moments of great beauty in a thousand different places (the face of a child, a walk with a friend, something said in church, the memory of a loving person, sickness that brings a new vision of life, someone’s word to us that goes deep, etc.)

++ Where there is love there is God (1 Jn. 4:7). Any moment of love whether small or large is a golden thread that leads directly to the heart of God. God IS love. (A love beyond all measure. Think “giving” without counting the cost – – Christ on the cross). Have you witnessed this kind of love? Then God has come to you!

God will give you a time to share your confidence in His grace. Because you’ve experienced it.

Be kind this week.

Fr. Tim

A good friend of mine told me a while back that he’s been dealing with an anxiety about life and the world. Not so much depression as just a general concern for himself, his wife, and his children living in a world where criminal violence and natural disaster are sometimes a weekly phenomenon.

Many of us, as we age, feel our nerves a bit more strained than when we were younger. A “little pill” to “take the edge off” is common for many.

I think much of the angst comes with the feeling that life is out of control. We feel overwhelmed with problems so much bigger than any one person can fix. What makes us nervous?

How about these?

• Four hurricanes in six weeks (total destruction of Puerto Rico)
• North Korea and “Rocket Man”
• The Opioid crisis
• Broken government in Washington
• Two Americas: the Haves and the Have-Nots
• Global warming (and the furor it brings in even discussing it)
• Charlottesville, Las Vegas, Isis and about 10 other current messes.

These are the global tensions. Then there are our personal struggles with health, finance, relationships, raising children and grandchildren, our own aging, etc. Any one of these can strike at the heart of the peaceful lives we want to live.

So what do we do? How can we live peaceful, hope filled lives in the face of these overwhelming problems? Space is limited here so I’ll be brief.

Here’s what helps me. See what you think.

• This is a fallen world. Bad things are going to happen. We are all afflicted with an impulse to selfishness and animosity. Spread this out amongst 5 billion people and there’s going to be trouble. (Mother Nature also seems to share mysteriously in our bondage to frustration. Read Romans 8:22).
• Christ told us that while we live in this fallen world there will be a suffering for each of us. In fact we make up in ourselves “what is lacking in the sufferings of Christ”.

  “Beloved, do not be surprised that a trial by fire is occurring among you, as if something strange were happening to you.” 1 Peter 4:12.

  In other words, we’ve been told these things would happen – – let’s look now for what gives us hope in the midst of these trials.

• This hope comes to us in the fact that Christ has been raised from the dead. As we share in his sufferings so shall we share in the joy of his Resurrection. “In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have overcome the world.” Jn. 16:33
• While we live here on earth our task is to witness with lives of faith in the love of God, the goodness of creation, the sanctity of human life, the worthiness of spending your life for others.
• In the end . . . love wins. (That’s what Easter is all about).
• This is good news. We share that with others and are ourselves renewed as we receive the Risen Christ in the Eucharist.

In the end what I find most helpful against times of panic or fear is to know that God’s providence has got it all in His loving hands. St. Paul knew this when he wrote, “If God is for us, who can be against us? . . . what will separate us from the love of Christ? Will anguish, or distress, or persecution, or peril? No, in all these things we conquer overwhelmingly through him who loved us.” Romans 8:35-37

So give your anxiousness to God in prayer. He won’t take away the hard thing most likely but he will give you the grace to carry it and in the end, with Christ, we will conquer.

With love,
Fr. Tim

PS. Pope John XXIII would pray with this abandonment to God’s plan, with the whole church weighing on his shoulders he would pray, “Lord, it’s your church. I’m going to bed.”