Come Away By Yourselves

Jesus stresses the importance of humility for being "great" and even "first" in the Kingdom of God.  Humility is hard to come by, however, because pride is not easily overcome.  The road to deep humility is a often a painful one, but there is also a shortcut called gratitude.  

In Jesus's Baptism we see Jesus doing something unnecessary and in a sense unfair.  He takes on the role of a sinner, allowing John to baptize him with his baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.  At the beginning of his public life, this event foreshadows our redemption at the end of Jesus's life--his death on the cross.  Jesus loves us by lowering himself, forgetful of his status and his rights, giving himself in a way that is beyond all necessity and human logic.  Christian life is an invitation to do the same.  

Recorded 12/31/20, New Year's Eve.  Each year begins with the Feast of Mary, Mother of God.  The greatest of Our Lady's titles, her motherhood is a cause of wonder, hope, and encouragement for Christians and the world.  Humanity begins again in Mary and we can begin again in her Son who comes to bring us new life.  Jesus shares everything with us, even his Mother.  

How wonderful it must have been for the Shepherds from Bethlehem to enter the stable on Christmas night !  Our times of prayer this Christmas are our own chance to be close to the baby Jesus, to speak softly with Mary and Joseph, to be wrapped up in the mystery of God present in the Child.  The warm light of the fire in the stable lets us see and welcome into our lives him who is the Light of Life.  

We can join Mary and Joseph on their journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem.  The divine adventure that they were on was filled with trust in God, which counteracted their natural concerns and fears.  The silent presence of Jesus within his Mother's womb was a source of wonder, love, and prayer for Mary and Joseph.  Jesus's silent presence in Mary and his silent sleep in the manger has a profound meaning for times of spiritual dryness.  

Advent is a perfect time to develop the virtue of hope.  Christian hope is a powerful force because it is based on God's power and care for us.  Hope is the certain expectation of good things from God and the strength of waiting for them to come from his hand.  Christian desire is shaped by hope.  In hope, our trust in God goes as far as trusting his vision of our happiness and well-being even beyond our own view of the matter.  

On this Thanksgiving weekend, we take time to reflect on gratitude.  Gratitude is an essential act of prayer.  Being grateful is closely linked to joy and freedom from sadness and despair.  The grateful soul needs humility, temperance and chastity to continually recognize all of the gifts that come from God.  

For the study on gratitude and well-being, please visit: https://hfh.fas.harvard.edu/how-to-flourish

Although we might avoid thinking of it, we all know that this life is passing. Reflecting on this truth gives life its proper perspective.  One day we will die and pass into eternity.   Living a life of faith, hope, and charity will make us ready for that moment.  The prospect of eternal life can help make us resilient, daring and loving in this life.  

Jesus shares his compassionate concern for the world with us, his disciples.  To help him feed the crowd, however, we need to give all that we have while receiving everything from him.  Times of crisis are opportunities to put our hope in the Lord God, who made heaven and earth.  

Contemplating the great multitude of saints in heaven, we realize the power of God to change and purify us.  From heaven the saints speak to us of the primacy God should have in our lives.  The purification necessary to be in heaven comes from our acceptance of the cross.