Mary, Mother of Peace

The Octave Day of Christmas
Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God

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Gospel of Luke 2:16-21

The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this,they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.

Happy New Year!  

Today, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God and World Day of Peace.  Pope Francis' theme for this day is "Slaves no more, but brothers and sisters."  I really love these simple words.  For way too long Christians and non-Christians have been subjected to horrific abuse.  No one should be deprived of their human dignity, and no woman, man or child should be forced into a life of crime, corruption, prostitution, and endless oppression.

A long standing tradition in the Roman Catholic Church associates Mary with world peace. She is the Mother of Peace who knows all too well what suffering is like.  Not only did she give birth to Jesus Christ Our Savior, but she witnessed his death on the cross.  She experienced first hand how cruel men can be.

As Our Blessed Mother, Mary sheds tears of sorrow as she witnesses, from heaven above, children starving to death.  She mourns as nations continue to war with one another, sometimes for decades.  She gasps in disbelief at the rise in pornography, sexual abuse, and human trafficking.  Mary is reminded of the persecution of her only Son as she witnesses Christians forced out of their homes, tortured all because their belief in Jesus.

The worst tragedy of all is the lack of peace within the family unit.  Sometimes children go years without speaking to their parents, or parents disown their children over a conflict.  Personally, I know what it feels like to be distanced from my own father. I have not spoken to him in 15 years.  It's one of those situations where his illegal dealings, lack of integrity and overall selfishness made me realize that it was for the best we stay separate.  I do forgive my father for all the psychological pain he caused my sister and me.  However, for my own personal safety I must disassociate.  I feel more peace in my heart with this distance.  Sometimes reconciliation is not possible. However, one can still find peace through acceptance that some people who cause us harm are simply best to let go.  

How can you bring about peace within your own home and in the community you live in?  Pray the rosary each day for the intention of peace within families and nations.  Volunteer with organizations who focus on ending racial conflict, sexual abuse, and domestic violence.  Write to legislatures at the local and state level, advocating for better laws against violence.  Most important of all, learn to forgive those who have harmed or offended you, including your own family members.

Begin the New Year by reflecting in your heart, just like Our Blessed Mother, ways to keep peace.  It can be done.  It just takes a willingness to let go of pride, ego, anger, and resentment.  Transfer these negative emotions into forgiveness, love, hope, and charity.

-J.

Walk the Talk!

The Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas

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1 John 2:3-11

Beloved: The way we may be sure that we know Jesus is to keep his commandments.  Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps his word, the love of God is truly perfected in him.  This the way we may know that we are in union with him: whoever claims to abide in him ought to walk just as he walked.

Today's reading from the First Letter of John makes me think of New Year's Day resolutions. We say to family and friends:   I'll lose weight...  I'll stop smoking...  I'll save more money...  I'll spend more time with the kids...  I'll go to mass every Sunday and even go to confession once a month...  I'll say my prayers every single day...

Let's be honest now.  A lot of us  talk the talk but don't necessarily walk the walk.  We have big plans for a total physical and spiritual makeover when the new year rolls around.  However, by the end of January some folks skip the gym and then light up a cigarette after a stressful day at work! 

 It's challenging to keep our resolutions, but we shouldn't give up.  Yes, we will slip, trip and fall on our sinful bottoms.  We will feel like failures when what we promised isn't 100% accomplished.  Heck, at least we took a chance! What's bad is when we say we will do something to change our lives for the better but then simply do nothing. 

When it comes to our spiritual life, talk without the walk isn't a good thing. It's a sure sign of hypocrisy!  The Lord isn't too happy when we say that we know him and love him when we blaspheme him.  Our Mother Mary will surely frown if we treat her precious son with disrespect, mocking his name is disbelief.  Keeping the Commandments is serious business!  Remember we all want to make it to the gates of Heaven someday.  Hell isn't a very attractive alternative.

How can we "Walk the Talk?"  First and foremost, practice our faith consistently and devoutly.  If we say we are Christian, treat others with compassion and kindness.  Love our enemies.  Forgive one another. Stay away from mortal sin.  When we do sin, make a humble and contrite confession.  Regularly consume the Eucharist.  Pray and meditate!  Do whatever it takes to center our lives around Christ.  

-J.

Advice from The Holy Family

The Holy Family, Jesus Mary and Joseph

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Gospel of Luke 2:22-40

When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, They took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord,Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord, and to offer the sacrifice of a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons, in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.

Today, raising a family is tough involving significant time commitment and financial resources.  In an ideal situation, a family gets along well; mother and father rarely fighting and children obey their parents like little angels.   I don't know any family who's perfect.  They may appear this way on the outside but behind the privacy of their homes they hold deep dark secrets....

I remember as a teen coming home from school one day.  Shortly after I arrived, I heard a knock at the front door.  It was our neighbor from the apartment downstairs.  This gentleman was nice but  he always gave me the willies.  He wore a long tan trench coat, sort of the type that a stereotypical flasher wears. The neighbor smiled saying,  "Hi Jennifer.  I'm baking some cookies for the kids.  Would you like to join us downstairs for an after school snack?"   My inner radar detector went off as I thought to myself, "Something is not right with this man. Why would he ask a teen age girl who he barely knows into his apartment?"  I politely thanked him for the invite but told him that I had a lot of studying to do.  Later in the evening, the man's wife came upstairs to apologize: "Jennifer, I apologize if my husband made you feel uncomfortable."

About a month later the family moved out as a result of  a Child Protective Services investigation.  The husband had been molesting his own children inside that very apartment for years! Whoa....I thanked the Lord and my guardian angel for protecting me.  Unbelievable how close I was to becoming one of this sick man's young victims....

Can we say that The Holy Family made up of Jesus, Mary and Joseph was perfect?  Unfortunately, not at all! They were a human family just like the rest of us with  flaws and hardships.    Joseph, although not a rich man, provided for his wife and stepson the best he knew how.  He wasn't even the biological father of the child.  Furthermore, Mary and Joseph never extended their family beyond the Jesus which broke traditional Jewish custom.  A family considered perfect had a least 7 children.

One thing that we should keep in mind is this:  Although The Holy Family is not a perfect, it still serves as a model family because of their deep faith in God.

What kind of advice can The Holy Family give to families in modern day times?  Here are some thoughts:

From Joseph:   Teach your children right from wrong in caring ways.  Children will not always behave the way they want you to.  Remain patient and punish in ways that allow the child to learn from his or her mistakes.  Never beat or abuse a child.

From Mary:  Love one another as Christ loves you.  Don't allow anger and resentment to build.  Set up regular round table discussions so that when conflict arises issues can be discussed calmly.  Don't ever allow a day to go by without saying, "I'm sorry. Please forgive me." when you have wronged another.  Say "I love you!" consistently.

From Jesus:  Make prayer a central part of family life.  Always set aside time each day to pray together.  Don't allow one day to pass by without being thankful for one another.

In 2015, make a commitment to revitalizing the family.  Spend more time together, pray together and even play together!  Most importantly, forgive one another when conflict arises.


-J.

One Church, One Faith, One Lord

Feast of Saint John, Apostle and Evangelist

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"Beloved: What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we looked upon and touched with our hands concerns the Word of life — for the life was made visible; we have seen it and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was made visible to us— "

As I flipped through The Liturgy of the Hours, looking for the proper readings for Morning Prayer, I stumbled across the words to an old hymn which brought back memories of my Protestant years:

Your heralds brought glad tidings

To greatest and to least;

They told all men to hasten

To share the great King's feast;

And this was all their teaching

In every deed and word,

To all alike proclaiming:

One Church, one Faith, one Lord.

I played the violin in a local Baptist Church throughout high school and during summers of college.  It was a fun period, during those awkward teenage years, where I hung out with  fellow orchestra dorks and shared laughter together.  Nothing more fun than getting the giggles during a boring sermon. The orchestra sat behind the preacher, so he couldn't see us snickering....  

Before Wednesday night practices, I will never forget one gifted violinist walking around the sanctuary playing the Motel 6 theme song. (Click here for the tune.) I'd go home in the evening with that song repeating over and over in my head.  At Christmas time we'd rehearse for hours preparing for the annual Singing Christmas Tree.  One year the gifted violinist and I played a duet in front of the church congregation.  It was an arrangement of "Joy to the World."  I still have a VHS tape of that performance.  Wow, I can't believe it's been over 20 years ago.

Today, we celebrate the feast day of Saint John, the apostle and evangelist.  This is the same John who Jesus chose to care for Mary after his death.  John, as well as the other apostles, took to heart the idea of One Church, One Faith, and One Lord.

In his letter to the Corinthians, Saint Paul writes:  Since in God's wisdom the world did not come to know him through "wisdom," it pleased God to save those who believe through the absurdity of the preaching of the gospel.

How can the preaching of the gospel be absurd?  Saint Paul's comment is very interesting; he's got it so right though.  Preaching the gospel is quite radical and something the Jews and Gentiles were not accustom to.  Even today, a person may not know who God or Jesus Christ is.  In this instance, preaching is a necessity. Otherwise, someone ignorant of God will never learn to appreciate His tremendous grace and love.  We want all of our fellow men and women to reach heaven someday.

 As a new lay member of the Dominican family, I am called to "preach" the good news of the gospel.  I'm not an ordained minister.  Some people may think it "absurd" for a Catholic woman to even attempt to preach; however, I think writing this blog post is a form of preaching in itself. Saint Catherine of Siena, Doctor of the Church, was an uneducated woman who joined the Dominicans as a lay member (called the Mantellate).  By the power of the Holy Spirit, she gained incredible wisdom and knowledge.  She passed along that knowledge in the form of letters to Popes and noblemen, influencing the politics of the times.  Naturally, lay persons and clergymen alike gravitated toward her happy and peaceful disposition.  In many respects, Saint Catherine preached about One Church made manifest by Christ crucified; One Faith which pours forth tremendous grace and healing; and One Lord who loves us unconditionally.

As Catholic Christians today, how can we evangelize to others the concept of One Church, One Faith, and One Lord ?  Firstly, we must remember we are all one body in Christ.  This one body, the Church, is strongest when all members remain unified.  We pray for one another, care for one another, and love one another.  Secondly, as Catholics we share one faith.  This one faith allows us to recognize the blessings in our lives as well as bless others we encounter on a daily basis.  Faith in Christ gives us the strength to better handle adversity.  Finally, we are called to worship One Lord.  This involves not focusing so much on worldly pleasures and possessions but focusing living a holy and good life  so we will make it to heaven some day.

We are all called to be disciples just like Saint John and Saint Paul.  In the New Year, let us accept the challenge to follow the Lord in thought, word and deed.  Preach the good news to others.  Allow Christ to transform our minds and hearts!

Through many days of darkness,
Through many scenes of strife,
The faithful few fought bravely
To guard the Christian life;
Their gospel of redemption,
Sin pardoned, man restored,
Was all in this enfolded;
One Church, one Faith, one Lord.

Saint John the Apostle, Pray for Us!

-J.

Living in The Spirit

Acts 7:54-59  Living in The Spirit

Feast of Saint Stephen, First Martyr
By JENNIFER BURGIN


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“Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” But they cried out in a loud voice, covered their ears, and rushed upon him together. They threw him out of the city, and began to stone him. The witnesses laid down their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul. As they were stoning Stephen, he called out “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”

Yesterday, we celebrated the Birth of Jesus.  Today, we celebrate the heavenly birthday of Saint Stephen, a deacon and the first martyr of the Church.  Why does the Church place the story of Stephen's stoning right after Christ's birth? Why do we read about such cruelty? It doesn't seem right.  How morbid!  How sick!    What a paradoxical twist to the peaceful aspects of Christmas.  The Church is no fool.  She knows precisely what she's doing by linking the scripture readings so closely together. 

Saint Stephen's martyrdom reminds us of Jesus' own death on the cross.  This is very important to keep in mind as we celebrate the Christmas Season.  Jesus' birth is only the beginning of something wonderful; something that will change our lives forever. His birth, life, and resurrection will begin Christianity as we know of today.  We cannot simply celebrate the birth of the Christ child without celebrating all aspects of Jesus' life:  his baptism, his ministry, his passion, death and resurrection.  Saint Stephen's own martyrdom helps us reflect on Jesus' purpose in the eternal salvation of souls.  Without Christ's birth, no apostles would have been appointed to spread the good news throughout the world. Without Christ's death, our eternal salvation would be undetermined.  Imagine a United States of America without any Christian ancestry!

 Saint Stephen embodied the Holy Spirit in his entire heart and soul;  He lived in the Spirit.  Because of this, he allowed the Holy Spirit to speak through his words.  Enemies were not so keen on his wisdom; hence, he was stoned to death.  Through the power of the Holy Spirit, he forgave his persecutors.  He allowed God's grace to accept his martyrdom.  Everything he did was for the glory of God.  

How can we live in the Spirit instead of  the flesh?  It takes prayer.  It takes regular communion and confession.  It takes letting go of the ego with a willingness to see Christ in others, helping them along the path to eternal rest.  Paying close attention to the Holy Spirit  allows us to see through our interior stony walls .  We can break through these walls of insecurity, ignorance, and indifference, experiencing a new outlook on life.

The saints lived in the Spirit throughout their lives. We can, too!  A new year is fast approaching.  Why not make a New Year's resolution to form a more intimate relationship with Christ?  Allow his heart to beat alongside yours.  Allow his teachings to penetrate your mind.  Allow the Eucharist to pierce your soul in such a way that you're willing to become a martyr just like St. Stephen.  Living in the Spirit is counter-cultural to living in the human flesh.  Waiting for a new challenge?  Take the leap of flight, push away the worldly and go for the godly!

-J.

Laudare, Benedicere, Praedicare: Official Hymn of the Jubilee of the Ord...

Glad Tidings of Comfort & Joy

Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Advent
Christmas Eve 2014

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Gospel of Luke 1:67-79

Zechariah his father, filled with the Holy Spirit, prophesied, saying:

“Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; for he has come to his people and set them free. He has raised up for us a mighty Savior, born of the house of his servant David. Through his prophets he promised of old

that he would save us from our enemies, from the hands of all who hate us. He promised to show mercy to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant....”

I recently read in the NY Times that President Obama plans to lift the trade embargo against Cuba which has been in place for over 54 years. Wow...What a great blessing for the people of Cuba who may freely trade with the United States, stimulating their impoverished economy.  Praise the Lord!  Hopefully, in 2015 Cubans will experience comfort and joy knowing Fidel's militant reign has come to an end, and they can experience new freedom.  God saves us from our enemies even if it takes years of hardship and turmoil.

On Christmas Eve, my mother and I celebrate with a gift exchange and dinner over at her home. Of course, I always bring my Doxie Cayenne.  She loves to feast on leftovers if she can get a hold of them!  In past years, I used to attend Christmas Eve mass.  Not very fond of crowds, with people saving pews and getting easily miffed if you sit in "their family's row," I opt for the first mass of the day Christmas morning.  I find this not only less stressful but much more reverent.  I love taking communion at Christmas dawn.  It makes the celebration of Christ's birth just that much more special!

Free to worship without fear  One thing I'm most grateful for is freedom of religion here in America.  I know I will not be subjected to abuse and torture because I'm a Catholic.  I know I will not be forced to renounce God.  I think about the Christians throughout the world who have to celebrate Christmas in private, risking bodily harm.  God never intended his children to suffer so much hate and oppression because of their beliefs in Him.  But, evil is part of the world.  Just look at the torture Christ went through for our own salvation!  It's no easy task being a Christian, but with God's strength we can withstand any persecution thrown in our direction.  We do not have to fear when we have genuine faith in the Lord.


Glad Tidings of Comfort & Joy to You and Your family!  Happy Christmas!

-J.

The Refiner's Fire

Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Advent

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Prophet of Malachi 3:1-4, 23-24

Yes, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts.

But who will endure the day of his coming?

And who can stand when he appears?

For he is like the refiner’s fire, or like the fuller’s lye. He will sit refining and purifying silver,

and he will purify the sons of Levi,

Refining them like gold or like silver

that they may offer due sacrifice to the LORD.


For he is like the refiner’s fire  I love this image as described by the Prophet Malachi.  Our Lord is like the Refiner's fire, crafting us in his holy image.  We are pieces of silver or gold, always a treasure in the Lord's eyes, with unique physical characteristics, personalities, and talents. God brands us with the fire of his love.  It's up to us to recognize this love.  Do we us our unique talents to preach the good news to others?

God refines and purifies our souls on a continuous basis.  When life scorches us with troubles, God cares for us.  When life becomes a bright star full of joy, God celebrates with us.  Do we recognize God's presence in the little things we experience on a daily basis?

The refining of our inner souls is a life long process.  We may go for years cursing and blaspheming God thinking he's the reason life is so wrong.  It's not God's fault!  He gives us free will to choose the path we wish to take. We can choose to drop out of high school or college, with marginal skills to land us a good job.  We can choose to abuse alcohol and/or drugs, pushing us away from our family and friends.  We can choose to be promiscuous, subjecting ourselves to STD's.  If we decide to make poor decisions, do we realize our error and ask for God's forgiveness?  Or do we continue on our rocky pathway to destruction?

Purity of soul is something the Saints spoke of often.  When we think of purity, we think of young children who have not yet become "tainted" by life's temptations.  God gives us the opportunity to return to purity even in our older years.  We may have fallen into unchaste actions and addictions, but God offers us a window to healing.  It's as if his heart is so on fire for us that he's willing to literally "burn away" our past indiscretions if we turn back to him!

As we celebrate the Birth of Christ this week, picture the fire of  Jesus's Sacred Heart burning inside your own heart.  Are the flames high brilliant, or are the flames smoldering, on the verge of going out?

Kindle yourself up to the Lord!  Allow the intense heat of his love, mercy and grace keep you in vigil as we celebrate Christ's birth!

-J.

The Canticle of Mary

Monday of the Fourth Week of Advent

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Gospel of Luke 1:46-56

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. The Almighty has done great things for me,

and holy is his Name...."

Mary's Magnificat is familiar to Catholics around the world. Each day, we recite the beautiful words during the Divine Office Evening Prayer.  We read Luke's scripture passage  numerous times throughout the liturgical calendar. When we pray Mary's song of thanksgiving, do we understand the meaning of the words?  Here are some thoughts.....

He has looked upon his lowly servant.... God never abandons us even at the lowest points of our lives. He knows our faults and failings.  He recognizes our struggles and temptations.  Yet, he continues to bless us even when we wish to cast him aside forever!  Sometimes burdens are so severe that it's easier to dump God on the side of the road with a "No thanks!" than to persevere with our crosses.  When we make ourselves lower than God - that is more humble and less prideful - we can rejoice just like Mary!  We realize our burdens are not as heavy with God helping out with the load.

He has mercy on those who fear him....  This does not mean we "fear" God as in terrified or scared to death of him!  We fear God in terms of our faithfulness toward him.  When we trust in the Lord, and believe in his divine plans for us, his mercy is limitless.  He knows we are weak creatures prone to sinful actions.  He opens up his mercy, forgiving us our over and over again.  He never gets tired of pouring out his mercy because he loves us so incredibly much!

He has shown the strength of his arm and scattered the proud...  We read stories in the Old Testament about God parting the Red  ("Reed") Sea, inflicting plagues on the Egyptians, and destroying the evil Sodom and Gomorrah.  He takes actions into his own hands when he's seen His people disobey The Commandments.  The angry God of the Old Testament contrasts sharply with the more loving Jesus of the New Testament.  The Lord continues to show his strength throughout scripture even if his "persona" changes.  His strength lies in his willingness to always be of service to his faithful.  When we knock on the door, God will answer!

As Advent comes to a close, let us write our own "Magnificat" thanking God for all of the blessings he's given to us in 2014.  It can be in the form of a poem, a song, or simple prose.  Our unique prayer proclaims to the Lord, "I love you and I praise you!  Thank you for all that you do in my life and the lives of my loved ones.  You have done great things for me and Holy is Your Name.  Amen!"

-J.

Spiritual Snippet -- The Stages of the Ages (An Original Poem)

Since I turned 40 years old this year, I've thought a lot about aging. I don't know when God will take me from this earth, but I pray my death will be quick and peaceful.  I do not wish to die in agonizing pain.  A couple of my close acquaintances passed away this year.  I miss them terribly and wish they were still with us!  The Lord decided to collect their souls early.  What is God's criteria for taking a dead man's soul from this earth? Why does he allow some to die young and others die way into their 80's, 90's, and above?  I think those questions will always remain a mystery.......

I pray for those who have lost loved ones during this Holiday Season.  It's a particularly hard blow because it may be the only time of the year we see our families and friends.  

In my opinion, aging gracefully is one of the keys to internal happiness.  If we accept our bodies as God created them, with all of their age-related ailments and imperfections, we prevent so much useless worry. A time comes in life when we are simply not  teenagers anymore!  We must accept this fact and move forward.  Men will always be attracted to the young and the pretty; women likewise.  Our first inclination is to become jealous and resentful. No need for this!  Someone will always be older than us and younger than us. As Christians, we learn to accept others as children of God no matter their age group.

 How holy is youthfulness versus oldness? Both are just as holy. Not one is better than the other even if society thinks youthfulness is the gold star.  

Here's a poem I'd like to share on aging:

The Stages of the Ages (An Original Poem)

Youth is fleeting;

Aging is self-defeating;

Death is unappealing;

What's my stage in life?

I'm an awkward teen;

Miserable and moody;

Experiencing growing pains;

With limited duties.

I want to party;

I want to get high;

I'm smarter than everybody;

Top of my class.

I'm a twenty-something;

Graduated with a degree.

Pumped up with self-love;

For success is guaranteed!

Everybody praises me;

Enlarging my pride;

I go into the work force;

And expect an easy ride.

I can't slack off;

I can't get mad;

I have to work hard;

And keep my head out of  sand.

Now is the real world;

Where thank-yous are rare.

Just smile and be patient;

Life isn't  fair!

Middle age approaches;

Faster than it should.

The body slows down;

I feel misunderstood.

People dismiss me;

I guess I'm getting old.

Nobody wants to hire;

A health risk, that's for sure.

I'm full of wisdom;

Living for so long.

I know how to answer a question;

A youth will get wrong.

Crippled in a walker;

Unable to hardly move.

I've lived many decades;

And learned a thing or two.

Everybody ages;

Nobody can fight death.

We must live our lives;

With faith, love and respect.

Remember God our creator;

Throughout our stages in life.

He never abandons us;

In good times and in strife.

Aging gracefully is a virtue,

Something hard to accept;

Our skin will always wrinkle, 

As our bodies become inept;

Society will frown;

Deciding the old is trash.

This simply isn't true;

Age is wisdom with sass!

Don't let aging bring you down;

It happens to all  brethren;

Remember the ultimate goal of life;

To reach the beauty of heaven!

Mary, Mother of God, Pray for Us!

Amen!  

-J.