ADVENT PONDERINGS
12 DAYS to go, but whose counting
Memory Awakens Hope
Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger,
Seek That Which Is Above,1986
Advent is concerned with that very connection between memory and hope which is so necessary to man. Advent’s intention is to awaken the most profound and basic emotional memory within us, namely, the memory of the God who became a child. This is a healing memory; it brings hope. The purpose of the Church’s year is continually to rehearse her great history of memories, to awaken the heart’s memory so that it can discern the star of hope.…
It is the beautiful task of Advent to awaken in all of us memories of goodness and thus to open doors of hope.
It is the beautiful task of Advent to awaken in all of us memories of goodness and thus to open doors of hope.
IN JOYFUL HOPE
American culture is fast paced and always on the move. If there is one thing that our society detests, it is when we have to wait for something. With all our modern technology, we find that being patient is a forced requirement even in our high tech world of speedy responses. We wait on line at the supermarket, the bank and at any government office. On the phone, we are left on hold “…until the next customer service representative is available.” Traffic lights and traffic jams take a serious toll on time that could be well spent elsewhere. Even hospital emergency rooms are places of long and sometimes painful periods of waiting. With all of these unpleasant minutes and hours lost forever to waiting, one has to wonder why the Church would dedicate Advent, an entire liturgical season of the Church, to waiting.
Of course, not all periods of waiting are filled with tension and stress. Some are actually joy-filled and even exciting, like the waiting of a child who cannot get to sleep on Christmas Eve or the feeling of elation that comes when one is expecting to see a spouse returning safely from a long trip overseas. Not only are we watching the clock or looking at the window in advance of their arrival, but special preparations are usually made as well. The home is cleaned and favorite foods are prepared all in anticipation of something wonderful. This is the kind of waiting that the Church means when it speaks of waiting for the Lord during the season of Advent.
When we think of Advent, we tend to imagine the events prior to the birth of Christ, but the prayers and scripture readings used at the beginning of the Advent season speak of waiting for a future event, not looking back at a previous one. They focus present day listeners on Christ’s second coming which is closely linked to the end of the world. In some cases these predictions sound quite ominous: “There will be signs in the sun, the moon and the stars…People will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the world.” Luke 21: 25-28
Advent is not meant to be a season of fear regarding the end of the world. Indeed, the General Norms for the Liturgical Year and Calendar state that Advent “…has a twofold character: as a season to prepare for Christmas when Christ’s first coming to us is remembered; as a season when that remembrance directs the mind and heart to await Christ’s second coming at the end of time.
Advent is thus a season of devout and joyful expectation.” Additionally we should not forget the words of the (RC) priest spoken at every Mass after the Lord’s Prayer, “…and protect us from all anxiety as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.”
Other prayers used during the season of Advent remind us that we ourselves are people who live in expectation of the Messiah’s second coming. The opening prayer for the First Sunday of Advent prays that Christ “may find an eager welcome at his coming.” On the Second Sunday of Advent we pray: “Remove the things that hinder us from receiving Christ with joy, so that we may share his wisdom and become one with him when he comes in glory.”
Waiting for the second coming does not mean that we are prophets of doom claiming the world is soon to end. Rather, it means that we are people who joyfully watch for the return of one whose presence we long for. We prepare our hearts, our homes and our lives for the coming of the Son of Man.
Therefore, we live every day in imitation of Christ so that we will always be ready to meet the Lord whether he comes to us in the face of a stranger in need or riding on a cloud with power and great glory.
Of course, not all periods of waiting are filled with tension and stress. Some are actually joy-filled and even exciting, like the waiting of a child who cannot get to sleep on Christmas Eve or the feeling of elation that comes when one is expecting to see a spouse returning safely from a long trip overseas. Not only are we watching the clock or looking at the window in advance of their arrival, but special preparations are usually made as well. The home is cleaned and favorite foods are prepared all in anticipation of something wonderful. This is the kind of waiting that the Church means when it speaks of waiting for the Lord during the season of Advent.
When we think of Advent, we tend to imagine the events prior to the birth of Christ, but the prayers and scripture readings used at the beginning of the Advent season speak of waiting for a future event, not looking back at a previous one. They focus present day listeners on Christ’s second coming which is closely linked to the end of the world. In some cases these predictions sound quite ominous: “There will be signs in the sun, the moon and the stars…People will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the world.” Luke 21: 25-28
Advent is not meant to be a season of fear regarding the end of the world. Indeed, the General Norms for the Liturgical Year and Calendar state that Advent “…has a twofold character: as a season to prepare for Christmas when Christ’s first coming to us is remembered; as a season when that remembrance directs the mind and heart to await Christ’s second coming at the end of time.
Advent is thus a season of devout and joyful expectation.” Additionally we should not forget the words of the (RC) priest spoken at every Mass after the Lord’s Prayer, “…and protect us from all anxiety as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.”
Other prayers used during the season of Advent remind us that we ourselves are people who live in expectation of the Messiah’s second coming. The opening prayer for the First Sunday of Advent prays that Christ “may find an eager welcome at his coming.” On the Second Sunday of Advent we pray: “Remove the things that hinder us from receiving Christ with joy, so that we may share his wisdom and become one with him when he comes in glory.”
Waiting for the second coming does not mean that we are prophets of doom claiming the world is soon to end. Rather, it means that we are people who joyfully watch for the return of one whose presence we long for. We prepare our hearts, our homes and our lives for the coming of the Son of Man.
Therefore, we live every day in imitation of Christ so that we will always be ready to meet the Lord whether he comes to us in the face of a stranger in need or riding on a cloud with power and great glory.
HOPE EVERLASTING
'Hope' is the thing with feathers,
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all.
Emily Dickinson
'Hope' is the thing with feathers,
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all.
Emily Dickinson
Emily Dickinson's definition of hope captures what many of us have a hard time defining. Hope is not blind optimism, nor arrogant certainty, nor wishful thinking. Hope, is the knowledge that God would not desert us, that we will endure difficult times to see a better day. Hope gives us the strength to seek peace and demand justice, and to envision the world as God intended it to be.
(excerpted from American Catholic.org)
12 DAYS to go, but whose counting
My how time flies. So much to do, and so little time left.... ahhhhh, the stress and strain of the Advent (pre-Christmas Commercial) Season. It's no wonder we're completely exhausted by the time Christmas arrives. While attempting to keep a waiting and hopeful Advent, our lives are tossed about like a ship on a raging sea, as we try resisting the months of pre-holiday madness.
There's traffic to contend with, and grumpy folks galore. Curmudgeons abound this time of year, and it grows more and more difficult to find anything "Merry" in the world around us. Schedules are stretched to their limits while patience grows non existent in the frantic pace of daily life, and ever increasing traffic jams. With so many families spread around the country, one must shop early and attempt to package holiday cheer in boxes mailed here, there and yonder, resisting the constant feelings of regret that we can't all be together to celebrate accordingly.
Somehow, I managed to snag a moment of peace the other day as I exited my front door. A flock of geese, flying too high to detect their species, soared overhead in a lovely "V" shape, honking to one anther as they flew. For a brief moment in time I watched as they flew in concert, performing their graceful ballet of cooperation, as a couple of geese toward the rear of the flock made their way to the front. The "V", looking to lose its formation, slowly re-formed, allowing the more rested geese to then lead the pack. I stood in wonder at how effortlessly this sizable flock of geese worked so well together. No single goose was more important then the other, and they shared the load of their challenging task, to reach their goal somewhere far away.
The hours that followed were much more peaceful as a result of stopping everything I was doing to gaze upon this simple act of nature. I hope during this Advent Season you'll all be willing and able to stop for a brief moment, from time to time, and take in the little blessings we often overlook.... especially this time of year.
This past Sunday I was filled with an overwhelming warm and fuzzy feeling of joy and appreciation, as I sat in the pew looking over at the choir. We were all singing the post communion hymn, and I was so touched to see Byron, his grandson perched cozily on his knee, holding the hymnal together, singing. So much love between those two, and such a treat to see.
Three seats down from them was another choir member with his son on his lap, doing the same. It was a touching moment. Part of me hoped that some day I too would have the pleasure of having a grandchild sitting on my knee, joining me in song. For now, I can cherish and appreciate the gift I received during that hymn.
I'll admit it's quite difficult to remain in a state of Grace and Peace as stress inevitably builds when Christmas draws closer. Christmas Eve will be a hectic day of church services, with folks scurrying about in preparation. Clergy families try to wait patiently, in hope, for that quiet, calming Christmas Season that lies just on the horizon, while attempting to find some sort of normalcy in the midst of it all.
Our Christmas Eve is spent setting up and decorating a tree, which usually takes place after the midnight service.... if not Christmas morning (after sleeping in as long as possible). The "12 Days" are then spent in quiet bliss, as the hectic-ness of the months of PRE-Christmas have passed. This year I'll probably put the tree up on Christmas Eve and spend the 12 days decorating it, then we'll join a lovely gathering of beloved friends to celebrate 12th Night.
This year our Christmas Season will end with the likelihood of traveling to other states where our Tony will be interviewed by potential new parishes. As much as we'd like to not think about the year and prospects that lie ahead, we must. The "search process" in the Episcopal Church is difficult to describe, and clearly quite daunting. One never knows how long the process will take.
Time is spent investigating parishes, dioceses, bishops, and the like... in hopes of finding a "good match". Resumes are sent to parishes one would be interested in, hoping a reply will come. If a parish is interested, they contact the priest and a potentially long drawn out process begins.
There's traffic to contend with, and grumpy folks galore. Curmudgeons abound this time of year, and it grows more and more difficult to find anything "Merry" in the world around us. Schedules are stretched to their limits while patience grows non existent in the frantic pace of daily life, and ever increasing traffic jams. With so many families spread around the country, one must shop early and attempt to package holiday cheer in boxes mailed here, there and yonder, resisting the constant feelings of regret that we can't all be together to celebrate accordingly.
Somehow, I managed to snag a moment of peace the other day as I exited my front door. A flock of geese, flying too high to detect their species, soared overhead in a lovely "V" shape, honking to one anther as they flew. For a brief moment in time I watched as they flew in concert, performing their graceful ballet of cooperation, as a couple of geese toward the rear of the flock made their way to the front. The "V", looking to lose its formation, slowly re-formed, allowing the more rested geese to then lead the pack. I stood in wonder at how effortlessly this sizable flock of geese worked so well together. No single goose was more important then the other, and they shared the load of their challenging task, to reach their goal somewhere far away.
The hours that followed were much more peaceful as a result of stopping everything I was doing to gaze upon this simple act of nature. I hope during this Advent Season you'll all be willing and able to stop for a brief moment, from time to time, and take in the little blessings we often overlook.... especially this time of year.
This past Sunday I was filled with an overwhelming warm and fuzzy feeling of joy and appreciation, as I sat in the pew looking over at the choir. We were all singing the post communion hymn, and I was so touched to see Byron, his grandson perched cozily on his knee, holding the hymnal together, singing. So much love between those two, and such a treat to see.
Three seats down from them was another choir member with his son on his lap, doing the same. It was a touching moment. Part of me hoped that some day I too would have the pleasure of having a grandchild sitting on my knee, joining me in song. For now, I can cherish and appreciate the gift I received during that hymn.
I'll admit it's quite difficult to remain in a state of Grace and Peace as stress inevitably builds when Christmas draws closer. Christmas Eve will be a hectic day of church services, with folks scurrying about in preparation. Clergy families try to wait patiently, in hope, for that quiet, calming Christmas Season that lies just on the horizon, while attempting to find some sort of normalcy in the midst of it all.
Our Christmas Eve is spent setting up and decorating a tree, which usually takes place after the midnight service.... if not Christmas morning (after sleeping in as long as possible). The "12 Days" are then spent in quiet bliss, as the hectic-ness of the months of PRE-Christmas have passed. This year I'll probably put the tree up on Christmas Eve and spend the 12 days decorating it, then we'll join a lovely gathering of beloved friends to celebrate 12th Night.
This year our Christmas Season will end with the likelihood of traveling to other states where our Tony will be interviewed by potential new parishes. As much as we'd like to not think about the year and prospects that lie ahead, we must. The "search process" in the Episcopal Church is difficult to describe, and clearly quite daunting. One never knows how long the process will take.
Time is spent investigating parishes, dioceses, bishops, and the like... in hopes of finding a "good match". Resumes are sent to parishes one would be interested in, hoping a reply will come. If a parish is interested, they contact the priest and a potentially long drawn out process begins.
- Communication is established (can take weeks)
- Search Committee-(SC)
- Prospective parish-(SC) reviews resume and profile. If SC (Search Committee) is all in agreement, then they present candidate to parish vestry, upon approval of bishop. (again, can take weeks)
- Priest nervously or anxiously awaits letter of, "yes, we're interested" or "thanks but no thanks"
- (with luck) Parish Vestry approves of applicant and contacts Priest.
- Priest awaits word from Parish Vestry for "yes we're interested". You'd be amazed at how often communication simply ends at this point, with no word either way.
- Parish makes arrangements to travel see "priest in action" at his/her local parish.
- .... Priest is invited to Parish to meet with Vestry, see church and community. (woooooing begins) If a priest gets this far, chances are the parish is very interested, and serious talks, agreements and commitments are solidified. This visit is usually quite interesting, as the priest is questioned about things that may or may not be relevant to his/her ministry, by lay folk with no theological or clerical background. Questions about all sorts of things can come up, sometimes laced with hidden agendas and personal preferences. One never knows. If the clergy spouse is present, she/he may too be put under the microscope as well.
- ..... Priest returns home and undergoes the task of preparing for a move. This can be a particularly difficult time. Clergy family now deals with the stress of packing and planning a move, emotional detachment from friends, acquaintances, and community. The priest has the delicate job of assisting the current parish with making the transition.... helping parishioners cope with the loss of their priest, which can bring out all sorts of emotions, good, bad, indifferent, helpful, spiteful, thankful, or resentful.
