Br. Michael Perras, OFM

As we move into these final days of Advent, we turn our attention to Elizabeth and Zechariah, to Mary and Joseph and to their stories. Each of them offers us an insight into our journey of faith and our relationships with others.

Elizabeth reminds us to be bearers of promise. Zechariah calls us to listen well. Mary calls us to ponder. Joseph reminds us to be courageous. All four remind us to trust and to not let fear over take us. As companions on the journey, they also invite us to live with the conviction of a life rooted in Emmanuel – our God with us. Our God who has come to us and dwells here among all people, restoring us (Psalm 80) and filling us with peace (Micah 5.5a).

“Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country…” (Luke 1.39). As she went, she must have pondered what had been told to her, for her and of her. She must have considered Elizabeth and Zechariah and how they were adjusting to unforeseen circumstances. She must have thought of Joseph and all that was going on in his heart and story. She must have contemplated her people and their desire for the long awaited Messiah. She must have pondered how the Messiah was close at hand, so close, hidden in plain sight.

These final days of Advent can often disappear and become a blur. Let us take a cue from Mary and ponder. Let us ponder the journey of the year that has been and reflect upon where we have hastened to and where we have avoided hastening. May this pondering awaken in us to where our steps need to hasten to this Christmas and in the coming year.

In a year which has seen the unsettling of our so-called collective past

where have we hastened to build bridges?

In a year which has seen even more environmental crises

how have we hastened to honor and protect Mother Earth?

In a year which has seen tensions rise between nations

how have we hastened to be a voice of peace?

In a year which has seen innocent people die because of ignorance

where have we hastened to be an advocate for justice?

In a year which has seen families and communities divided

where have we hastened to listen well and heal wounds?

In a year which has seen the need for truth and reconciliation to be honest

where have we hastened to rise up to this work?

In a year which has seen more fake news

where have we hastened to speak the truth?

In a year which has seen attacks on humanity from all walks of life

where have we hastened to be witnesses of human fraternity?

In a year which has seen… … …

where have we hastened to… … …?

In a year, in a month, in a day which has seen so much,

where have we hastened to Christ?

God of the Journey,

you are with us in our steps

no matter how quickly

or how slowly we hasten.

Remind us that you dwell here

in us and among us.

Stir up in us the hope and love

which is infused into our very core,

so that in turn we may hasten

to that one place which needs

your presence in this last Advent week,

this late December day, this very moment.

Amen.

Photo Credits: Arūnas Naujokas and Priscilla Du Preez

 – Br. Michael, ofm

Poet and scholar J. Philip Newell shares a story of a presentation he made in Ottawa years ago, where a Mohawk elder was invited to make comments and reflections after a presentation on spirituality. Newell recalls how the elder responded, “As I have been listening to these themes, I have been wondering where I would be tonight. I have been wondering where my people would be tonight. And I have been wondering where we would be as a Western world tonight if the mission that had come to us from Europe centuries ago had come expecting to find light in us.”[1]

“Expecting to find light in us,” is this not a powerful truth serum? Does that ring in your ears and pound in your heart? God created us with a piece of Divine light in each of us. Echoing the elder’s wonderings, “Where would we be as humanity if we expected to see light in each other?” This would be a world shift, a what Isaiah prophecies as the peaceable kingdom shift, a beatitude living shift, which would only increase the light that we each hold and the light in the world.

As we enter this Third Week of Advent the light of our wreath is growing brighter. The first letter to the Thessalonians states: “You are all children of the light and children of the day” (5.5). Is this not what we should expect to encounter in each other? The Light of the world illumines our darkness, brings light to our areas of living which are in need of radiance, and is beckoning us to look for light instead of differences in each other.

This Advent week of rejoicing or joy; is often obscured by false rejoicing: Christmas parties to raise our spirits, more Christmas movies than the day has time for, sales on boxes of chocolates and so on. These quick fix, boredom-sorrow busters often leave us feeling empty and still seeking joy; still seeking light. The light we carry is only brightened when we encounter the light of another. As Edith Wharton said: “There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle, or to be the mirror which reflects it.”

Countless gospel stories capture the light Jesus exuded: from the blind seeing; to the woman touching his cloak; to the calling of the apostles and so on. Like Jesus and like the Mohawk elder, we have to wonder why we don’t expect to meet an encounter with that light. Is it because we are afraid that it may reveal truths about our living? Is it because we may encounter a transformation? Is it because we may need to live forth rejoicing in a new way? Is it because we might see the light of Christ in someone we don’t want to or least expect it?

This season of Advent is growing short but the encounter with Light is only beginning to grow. It is an invitation to see beyond the countdown and allow the Light to penetrate our living beyond this season of giving. As Saint Clare of Assisi said, “We become what we love and who we love shapes what we become.” We are children of God, we are loved and so we must let the light of God shape us as we encounter the light in each other.

The reflection of the Mohawk elder shared above is also a message for us as December 12 marks the National Day of Prayer in Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples. This day has been recognized for many years in the Catholic Church, but now more than ever it must be about the light we see in our First Nations, Inuit and Métis sisters and brothers. As we continue to work for truth and reconciliation the only way it will become life giving is if we approach it with the wonder in discovering the light carried by our Indigenous sisters and brothers. When we can be a mirror for these communities, we will see the light reflected back on to us and we will be able to rise up together with greater respect, honoring the Divine light we all carry. What actions can we make to be light bearers this week? It is time for the shift to happen and for rejoicing to arise among all peoples.

God of Light,

you created all light

and in light we see light itself (Psalm 36.9).

As we journey forward

clear the blinders from our eyes

so that we may see the Divine Light

in all peoples.

May unexpected encounters

of light this week

cause us to rejoice

in your drawing near to us

and see how you still dwell

here among us in peoples

from all cultures, creeds and places.

Amen.

[1] J. Philip Newell, The Rebirthing of God, 2015, Skylight Paths Publishing

 – Br. Michael, ofm

In a reflection given earlier this year, Jesuit Peter Bisson described vowed religious women and men as “artisans of encounter,” I believe that this easily describes all believers. It is an image which has stayed with me and I would like to offer it as launching point for this Advent.

The very fact that this season is marked each year to give us time to reflect on and remember that God transcended the heavenly realms and chose to be with the created world is in itself enough to sit with for the twenty-seven days of Advent. God desired the perfect love of the Trinitarian community to continue to expand. We are the privileged ones caught up in this overflowing gift. We receive this gift so freely and in so many ways and yet we resist it, give it parameters and make rules for it, trapping it, so that it feels caged and guarded, not soaring and joyful.

In the new movie “tick, tick… BOOM!” the life of musical theatre artist Jonathan Larson is captured in song. In the finale song he sings, “Cages or wings, which do you prefer? Ask the birds. Fear or love, baby? Don’t say the answer. Actions speak louder than words.” The invitation of Advent for all the people of God can be heard in this song. Are we going to remained caged and fear-filled with our guarded images of God or are we willing to find our wings and truly encounter God?  Are we willing to break free allowing our actions to show forth that God’s love wasn’t just in a yes of a woman centuries ago, in a stable one night, in a message by a beatitude toting preacher or on a cross and empty tomb one weekend? God’s love transcends these moments for God is again and again made known in our daily living (no matter how ordinary).

Joy is relational and communal. Our actions this season and in each season of the year should attune us to this truth. Advent is a good time to evaluate how we have done over the course of the past year. New year resolutions are useless if we don’t look to what we have done, failed to do and what we can still do. Advent, as the start of the liturgical year, is a great opportunity to reflect on our living. How has joy been a part of my life this past year? Have I been an artisan of joy? Have my actions built community? Where do I need to be a community building artisan? What parts of my relationship with God have I left caged and locked down? How can I soar to new heights with God on the wings of hope? Am I an artisan of prayer (this is always a good way to build community)?

Advent will never grow old if we allow ourselves to be caught off guard by wonder, joy and community. We build community in little ways; with the kindnesses this season has come to know but beyond these kindnesses into the living of the hard parts of life. This past year has had its challenges and obstacles we can’t deny this reality. We have seen the definition of community broaden and maybe even redefined. This may have left us reeling or allowed us to finally trust that we don’t need to be caged. God has never thought we were any ways.

Let’s dare to be artisans of encounter this Advent. Like those artisans before us such as Isaiah, Zechariah, Elizabeth, John the Baptist, Mary, Joseph, the magi, the shepherds, angels, saints known only to us, people who blazed the trail or soared on wings for us and so on; let us be encounters of the Divine. With the wonder of this season, the story of God’s desire to be one with us, and with people from all walks of life willing to be community builders, how can we not lift up our heads and be artisans of joy and artisans of encounter this Advent? The choice is ours. How will we walk in Advent light?

God of Encounters,

You invite us into relationship,

desire for us to build community,

and encourage us to be artisans of joy and life.

During this Advent we accept these opportunities

as we “lift up our soul” (Psalm 25)

to you who are our Truth, Way and Life.

Our eyes and hearts are open to encounters with you

no matter where our Advent steps may lead.

Amen.

Photo credits: Robson Hatsukami Morgan and Ole Witt

by Br. Michael, ofm

There is an interesting line in the gospel of Mark in which Jesus says: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away” (Mark 13.31). We can often focus on the endings of things or the uncertainty around us but Jesus reminds us to focus on his words which are everlasting. As we continue to navigate the challenges of our times let us be reminded of some of his life-giving words.

Do not be afraid. (Luke 12)

Peace I give you. (John 20)

I am the bread of life, living water, good shepherd, gate. (John 6, John 4, John 10)

I am the vine you are the branches. (John 15)

I am the way, the truth and the life. (John 14)

Blessed are the children of God. (Matthew 5)

Love God and love neighbour. (Mark 12)

Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there. (Matthew 18)

Our Father.. your kingdom come… your will be done.. give us this day our daily bread…forgive us… (Luke 11)

We need to be reminded of these words and how they are infused into our living. It seems to me that the words of Jesus offer us hope for our time and encouragement for the challenges we face. It seems to me that Jesus assures us with his words that he will indeed “be with us until the end of the ages” (Matthew 28.20). It seems to me that when we feel discouraged or fear tries to creep in, we are offered courage, light and peace for the journey.

Wherever we are right now on the journey; whether it is joy-filled, burdensome, draining, or content, Jesus is right here with us and is constantly speaking his words of life to us.

Are we listening? It’s easy to be distracted. Maybe it’s time to put down the phone, turn off the television and stop doing so we can hear his voice.

Which words of Jesus are speaking to you this day? Spend some time with these words (read the passage once, sit with it for several minutes, pray with it – there are countless ways) let them be nourishment and life for the days ahead. They are meant for us, for our well-being, soul health and our life. The best part is they will remain always.

Photo Credit: Priscilla du Preez