From the desert

First there was the discovery of the Dead Sea scrolls, then the talk about the authenticity of the Shroud of Turin.  Now, joining the mystery around the ostuary thought to have held bones from the time of Jesus, comes a report of lead codices which could date back to the first century A.D.  If this is true, the contents of these scrolls could hold some interesting explanations about life in the very early Church.

Much work remains to be done before these newest discoveries can be authenticated.  In the meanwhile, the very thought that some artifacts more than two thousand years old could have been unearthed makes some stand in awe and interest.

Plans in the works

Lest you begin to think that I've gotten my seasons inverted and have begun settling down for hibernation just as the spring weather is upon us, let's try to get caught up on what I'm seeing these days.

Plans are fast and furiously being put into place in Rome for the upcoming Beatification ceremony of the Servant of God John Paul II.  Just yesterday, the Vatican Press Office published procedural notes for accredited journalists who wish to take part in the week-long festivities that will unfold beginning April 27 and ending May 3.

And then today, the same Press Office served notice that there will be a Press Conference held next Tuesday, April 5, during which various segments of the preparations and programme will be outlined.  Presenters at this Press Conference include

• the Vicar General for the Diocese of Rome; 
• the Director of Vatican Television, who are also responsible for Vatican Radio and the Vatican Communications Office;
• the Administrator of the Vatican's Pilgrims Office;
• the Director of Liturgy for the Vicariate of Rome; and
• a representative of the Social Communications Office for the Vicariate of Rome.

This Press Conference will begin at 11:30am local time in Rome (GMT+1).

Lessons at the well

Lent is a time for change.  Lent challenges us to face our own demons, to improve ourselves, but sometimes this kind of change means that we need to be brutally honest with ourselves, and not afraid to let go of things that enslave us.  Jesus challenged the woman of Samaria to let go, and the result was astounding ... but this story is not just written for the sake of enjoyment.  It's meant to challenge us too, because all of us bring a bucket to the well, all of us draw water from this place, all of us can take away the gift of life, if we want to.  Want more?  Listen in or read on:

Buckets and blessings

I'm not sure whether you've thought about it before or not, but the bucket (the ordinary old bucket) has played a very big part in all our lives. What child has not filled a plastic bucket with sand at the beach? Some of us remember wooden buckets, or metal buckets, and now the plastic bucket seems to reign supreme. Buckets are used to carry the water with which we mop the floor, or to catch the water that drips from the ceiling. They're used to carry milk on the Menonite farms, and to draw water from the lakes around us, or from the wells that not all of us have forgotten. Where would we be without the humble bucket?

The Israelites who wandered in the dessert would have given their lives for a bucket, so perhaps it come as no surprise that the focus in today's Gospel is on the humble bucket. The Samaritan woman came to the well for a bucket of water, a mundane chore she had performed countless times before, but this time she and went home with the fullest bucket she had ever seen. She made a friend, she met a Saviour, she found a faith. It was extraordinary. In one visit to the well, her whole life was changed. She came for a bucket of water and went away with a bucketful of meaning. The living water Jesus offered her was the Gospel, the good news of salvation. She even went away with a bucketful of eagerness to share that good news with others, and share it she did. The Gospel tells us that 'many Samaritans from that city believed in him because of the woman's testimony.' (Jn 4:39). Of all the women who went to that well on that day, or for that matter to any well throughout history, did any leave with more than this Samaritan woman?

Was there anything at the well for anyone else? Yes, indeed there was, there always is. Not only was there a bucketful, there was, there is so much there for all of us in the encounter of Jesus and this woman. First, there is his attitude to women in general. The disciples were astonished that he was talking to a woman at all. The society in which Jesus lived was extremely patriarchal. Women, like children in Victorian times, were to be seen and not heard. Yet Jesus numbered many women among his personal friends: Mary Magdalene, Martha and her sister Mary, the women of Jerusalem and by no means least, his own mother. The woman at the well was on equal terms with him and he acknowledged her as an equal in a very public way.

There's a lesson in tolerance here for all of us too. In Jesus' time, the attitude of the Jew to the people of Samaria was like the attitude of white supremacists or racists toward the negro people. The Samaritans were a mixed race and of a different religion and consequently considered by Jews as beneath contempt. When a male Jew met a Samaritan, he did two things with his nose: he turned it up and he looked down it. The Samaritan woman was totally astonished that a Jewish Rabbi would even talk to her, much less ask her for a drink. By talking to a woman, and a Samaritan woman at that, Jesus tells us that he's in the business of breaking down barriers: between men and women, between races, between creeds. Equality, tolerance, reconciliation, these are the content of his message. This is what we receive in the bucket, along with the promise of salvation, because the living water he offered was not just for the Samaritan woman; it's for all of us too.

Do we have the kind of respect for women that Jesus demonstrated? Are we prejudiced against other people on the grounds of religion, race, creed, or any other grounds? The bucket we draw from the well today is filled with questions too, questions that may cause us to pause and reflect, questions that challenge us, questions that call us to growth.

One final thought. The English language contains the phrase 'to kick the bucket', usually exclusively used to refer to someone who has died. I'm not sure about the etymology of this phrase, but Jesus reassures us that 'the one who drinks of the water that I will give will never be thirsty. The water that I will give ... will become ... a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.' The bucket he's offering can be accepted, complete with its challenges and promises, but it can't be kicked.

The Saviour we meet in today's Gospel preaches equality and tolerance in this life, and everlasting happiness in the life to come. With all that in one bucketful, it was more than worth our while to pay a visit to the well.

Recess time

Children spend an awful lot of time in school each day.  A formal day may well include structured time for reading, projects, learning new lessons, in short for lots of mind work, but mind work can be and often is tiring.  Built into the structure of each school day (at least for those in elementary levels of education) is a provided break called recess: a chance to refocus the mind, a chance to get some fresh air.

Two weeks and a few days after the beginning of the Lenten period of prayer and preparation, traditionally a liturgically intense time that invites us to intense awareness of the lessons calling us to deepen our relationships with God, with others and with ourselves, this day is a chance to get some fresh air.  The liturgical Solemnity of the Annunciation changes our focus and places it rather on the Virgin Mary, and the moment at which she first received the news that she would bear the Son of God, preparing him for this world, giving him all he would need to become one of us.  What an awesome opportunity!  What a profound responsibility!

How long did the conversation actually last between the Nazareen woman and the heavenly apparition?  All we have are snippets of the exchange.  The questions asked by the human display ever deepening levels of logic (according to human reasoning), but every question asked received an answer, and where there is no logical reason to doubt, the only other alternative is to accept the proposition tabled.

This conversation between heavenly bodies and us is not confined to the writings of history or scripture.  It happens every day, even today, between God and us.  At issue are the many ways in which we (human beings) either refuse to listen, or are too afraid to enter the conversation.  This conversation calls for special ears, able to listen not only for vocal communication but also to spiritual stirrings.  It necessitates willingness on the part of humans to look beyond our own egos, our own desire for control, and to face the 'demons' that are revealed whenever we are challenged to overcome our own insecurity.

Recess used to be about relaxation, about getting fresh air.  Perhaps when we grow up, recess continues to refresh our souls, even as it may add new challenges and opportunities.

And now the rest of the story

As morning broke in Ontario, so did the story spoken of in the last of last night's blog entries.  The Canadian Press caught up with the story and it's appeared nestled in the CBC website.

The exculsive sit-down interview was granted yesterday to The Toronto Star, and as of this morning, the details are out for all to see.  How many people will be rushing to the newsstands to scoop up all the paper copies of this issue?

The news is out

Ah, the news is out (for the moment only in French) but stay tuned.

To quote the article just published on Radio-Canada's website:

Priscilla Lopes-Schliep will momentarily leave the hurdles aside.  The 28-year-old Canadian announced today that she is pregnant.  Lopes-Schliep, who is first in the world of hurdles is expecting in September of this year.  Once she has given birth, the 2010 Diamond League champion will concentrate on getting back into shape in time for the London Olympics which will begin on July 27, 2012.

Her long-time traniner and coach Anthony McCleary explains, 'Priscilla's work ethic and devotion will help her to come back to form.  We have consulted with doctors and specialists, and we have modified her training regimen accordingly.  For the moment, the number one preoccupation is the health of her child.'

Congrats Priscilla and Bronsen.  We are all very proud of you.

Be on the lookout

Word on the street is that there's some interesting news afoot.  Be on the lookout when the word is published:

• On Radio Canada at or about 10:45 pm tonight
• On the CTV network shortly before 11:00 pm tonight
• Across the Canadian Press network as of 11:00 pm tonight
• In the GTA local print media morning editions as of tomorrow morning.

Trust in the right things

Young children learn how to read if the adults in their lives make a point of reading to them.  Introducing kids to the world of books and stories helps them to build effective imaginatons and also to learn some very valuable lessons.   Remember the first fables you ever read (or had read to you)?  All fables carry lessons with them, and most of them carry some deep wisdom too.

Perhaps some would say that Jesus' stories also belong to the realm of fables, but the truths about life that are revealed through these stories still speak eloquently to the heart today, if we are daring enough to allow ourselves to admit that these are not lifeless stories, but life-giving truths.

Today's gospel passage places us with Jesus surrounded by Pharisees: those who put great store on external appearances, but didn't necessarily pay as much attention to the internal realities.  In modern-day parlance, these were the guys who led hollow lives par-excellence.  Instead, Jesus challenged his disciples to life to the full.  People who live life to the full often have little or no time for preoccupations with external or tangible riches.  Instead, those who are the most real people place greatest store in invisible, intangible realities that are the keys to being real: honesty, love, simplicity and vulnerability.  These realities can't be measured by earthly standards, but they do make for some people of real substance.

What wonderful disciples they make too.

Words for the chosen

Today's gospel recounts a conversation that takes place between Jesus and his chosen band.  He reveals his plan to make his way to Jerusalem.  I can imagine that some of his listeners might have thought that finally he was about to put up a flight for control of the authorities.  After all, had he not been teaching about some kind of new kingdom where the powerless would finally have a voice?

The problem was that Jesus knew that his kingship was (and is) very different from any earthly understanding of kingdom, or of power.

A woman approaches Jesus and asks for a favor, not for herself (she knows that in this case her sons are more important).  If indeed Jesus is going to establish a new kingdom, she wants to guarantee places of honour for her two sons, but she (like us) is misguided if she thinks she understands what Jesus' kingdom is about.  Jesus' kingdom is not based on power or prestige; its built on service and on love.  'The greatest among you must be your servant'.

Power in this kingdom is not judged by entitlement but on willingness to serve and to give away all signs of prestige, wanting nothing from the realm of tangible reward, but trusting that everything needed will be provided.  This is a daily act of surrender, a daily commitment to love.  This is the call for each of us to be disciples who have learned from the Master, and prophets proclaiming this kingdom to the world around us.

Something new in the neighbourhood

The place I call home these days has stood in the same spot for almost a century now.  In fact the date inscribed on the cornerstone says 1929, but I know for a fact that wonderful faith-filled people have been coming here to pray since 1917.

The twin towers are recognizable landmarks which have stood for decades now, and anyone who has been here to pray, anyone who has walked up the stairs of the church for a wedding, anyone who has been inside the walls of this building to witness a baptism, anyone who has heard the bell toll for a funeral will recognize this building as a venerable part of the history of this city.

Only one thing has been lacking.  For anyone who is a visitor to the city, there has never been any identifying mark on the outside of the building to indicate the name of the parish, or to hint at the divine happenings that unfold within its walls (except perhaps in the last year or so since the fundraising sign has been affixed to the bricks of the building.  Never, that is, until now ...

Those who pass by as of Monday of this week will now find this sign at the base of the stairs leading to the front doors of the church.  It seemed to appear in the middle of the night, for even this past weekend as we welcomed the normal crowds, there was no sign of this sign, but somehow, as though mysteriously, it appeared sometime either in the overnight hours between Sunday and Monday, or more probably during the daylight hours of the first workday of this week.

Signs of progress for some ... a long-awaited 'finally' for others.

Nothing we do

I don't know about you, but I find that I'm often battling the temptation to believe that I have to earn my way into heaven.  Perhaps one of the greatest gifts we could ever receive is a comprehension of the truth that Jesus came to speak:  that we don't have to do anything in order to merit heaven, because he's already done it for us.

The exerpt from the book of Isaiah that was proclaimed in our churches today told us (even) though your sins be like scarlet, they can become white as snow.  I suppose I'm comforted by the thought that there is nothing I can do to merit God's goodness, but that love is a free gift already offered.  All I have to do is accept it.

In fact, Jesus' words to the crowds in the gospel today tell them (and us) that if we start out thinking that we have to earn heaven, we'll more than likely end up no better than the Pharisees who were chastised for being externally pure but internally hollow.  Instead, it's much easier for us to be thankful for the fact that Jesus can use us as his instruments, and teach us some valuable lessons about humility along the way too.

Wow, lessons today about gifts freely given, about forgiveness and about humility.  What more could we ask for?

New guidelines for philosophy

Seminarians need more philosophy than before if they want to complete the course of study for ordination to ministerial priesthood.  This was the news published in the Vatican today.

Following on the reforms published regarding the study of Canon Law (2002), the Cardinal Zenon Grocholewski, head of the Vatican's Congregation for Education published some revised norms today (English translation not yet published) which will govern the study of philosophy.  Normally, candidates for priesthood (known as seminarians) have been required to complete at least two years of study in Philosophy (there were also a few exceptions to this rule) prior to embarking on Theological studies at the Masters level.  With these new guidelines, the minimum number of years of study for Philosophy will now be increased by an additional year.

Having recently completed a visitation with various Ecclesiastical Institutions of higher learning, the Congregation for Education has concluded that modern challenges such as relativism have made it more and more apparent that additional emphasis must be placed on such disciplines as Metaphysics, which is meant to help priests to think and to reason (at times on their feet) solidly based on principles learned through the study of Philosophy.

Reflections on the week that has been

The Holy Father and members of the Vatican Curia completed their annual retreat on Saturday, and the very next day, Benedict XVI shared some of the fruits of this retreat during his weekly Angelus address.

Every year, a priest from somewhere in the world is invited to preach the retreat (quite an imposing task I would think).  In fact, before he was elected Pontiff, Karol Cardinal Wojtyla (later Pope John Paul II) was one of those invited to preach this retreat.

This year, the honor fell to Father François-Marie Lethel, O.C.D., a Discalced Carmelite priest who is presently serving as Secretary of the Pontifical Academy of Theology.  This morning, Zenit published English language translations of the Holy Father's words of gratitude, expressed to Fr. Lethel at the conclusion of the Exercises on Saturday.  Since this text is not available in their online index, here is the printed copy:

Reverend Father
François-Marie Lethel, O.C.D.
Secretary of the Pontifical Academy of Theology

From my very heart I would like to express to you my sincere gratitude for the precious service that you have offered me and my coworkers in the Roman Curia preaching this retreat over these past several days. Thanks also to the work that you have done during this time we have been able to enter into the Lenten season as Mother Church, following the divine Word, asks us: making ourselves more attentive to the voice of the Lord.

The itinerary that you, Reverend Father, have helped us to follow through your meditations is a reason for special gratitude: a spiritual journey inspired by the witness of my Venerable Predecessor John Paul II, whose upcoming beatification has suggested the theme of holiness, reflected upon through an encounter with the living figures of the saints, who are like luminous stars that circle about the Sun that is Christ, Light of the World. The content of this retreat corresponds quite well with the program of catechesis that I have undertaken in these years of my Pontificate in the general audiences with the aim of making the Church known and loved better as it manifests itself in the life and teachings of the saints: beginning with the Apostles and through the great host of the Fathers and other ancient writers, the theologians and mystics of the medieval period, with particular attention to a large number of women, to the series of Doctors of the Church, which I am about to finish. This line of reflection and contemplation on the mystery of Christ reflected, so to speak, in this existence of his most faithful imitators is something fundamental that I inherited from Pope John Paul II and that I carry forward with complete conviction and great joy.

I know well, Dear Brother, that you understand my gratitude as also addressed to the Carmelite Order of which you are a part. I appreciate and share this sentiment and I extend it to the widest ecclesial dimension, because with this retreat you have more than ever made us sense the Church as communion of saints. May our acknowledgement be to the Church animated by the Holy Spirit, and to the Mother of the Church, the Blessed Virgin Mary. May Our Lady and St. Joseph, Husband and Patron of the universal Church, whose feast we celebrate today, and to whom you dedicated this morning's meditation, obtain for you the abundance of heavenly gifts in pledge of which I bestow from my heart a special apostolic blessing, which I extend also to those whom you hold dear.

At the Vatican, March 19, 2011
BENEDICTUS PP XVI
[Translation by Joseph G. Trabbic]

In addition, the Holy Father addressed the members of the Curia at the conclusion of the Exercises.  Here then is a copy of the text he addressed to them:

Dear Brothers,
Dear Father Léthel,

In the light of this journey of reflection, of meditation, of prayer in the company of the holy friends of John Paul II, I would like to say with my whole heart: thank you, Father Léthel, for your sure guidance, for the spiritual riches that you have bestowed upon us. You presented them to us as "stars" in the firmament of history and, with your enthusiasm and your joy, you situated us in the circle of these saints and you showed us that it is precisely the "little" saints who are the "great" saints. You showed us that the "scientia fidei" (science of faith) and the "scientia amoris" (science of love) go together and complete each other, that the greatness of reason and the greatness of love go together, indeed, that great love sees more than reason alone.

Providence has willed that this retreat conclude with the Feast of St. Joseph, my personal patron and the patron of the Holy Church: a humble saint, a humble worker, who was made worthy to be the guardian of the Redeemer.

St. Matthew characterizes St. Joseph with one word: "He was a just man," "dikaios," [in Greek], from "dike," and in the Old Testament, as we find it for example in Psalm 1, "just" is the man who is immersed in the Word of God, who lives in the Word of God, who lives the Law not as a "yoke" (giogo), but as a "joy" (gioia), who lives -- we could say -- the Law as "Gospel." St. Joseph was just, he was immersed in the Word of God, written, transmitted in the wisdom of his people, and precisely in this way was prepared and called to know the Incarnate Word -- the Word who came among us as a man -- and predestined to care for, to protect this Incarnate Word; this remains his mission forever: to care for the Holy Church and Our Lord.
We entrust ourselves in this moment to his care, we pray that he help us in our humble service. We go forward in courage under this protection. We are grateful for the humble saints; we pray to the Lord that he also make us humble in our service and therefore saints in the company of saints.

Once again we thank you, Father Léthel, for your inspiration. Thank you!
[Translation by Joseph G. Trabbic]

Lessons transfigured

All of us have been given eyes.  It's true that some of us live without this gift, but I sometimes think that blindness to physical realities makes one more perceptive to other realities that might otherwise be overlooked.  The gospel for the Second Sunday of Lent, Year A (that's where we are these days) speaks of a special moment of grace entrusted to three of the disciples by Our Lord.  You might say that he was giving them a different way to see the realities that were yet to come.  Now if only we could learn to apply this to life and it's struggles here on earth, perhaps we would be that much further ahead of the game.  Here then is the text (and the podcast version) of this week's homily entitled

From a distance
From the distance of half the circumference of the earth, we have been watching as more and more layers of the drama unfolding in Japan have unfolded over this past week.  First there was an undersea earthquake, then there was a tsunami.  The death toll has already been confirmed at more than 10,000 and it's still rising.  Within days of the initial disaster, word spread that there was an even more dangerous reality: the quake had severely damaged the reactors at the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant.  Ever since, massive efforts have been underway to prevent further damage and the spread of radioactivity.




 From a distance, we have also watched the images and heard the calls for freedom from oppression in North Africa and parts of the Arabian Gulf.  Like the days of September 2001, when we watched from a distance as planes flew into the World Trade Centre and reeked havoc on Manhattan, all of this might in some sense seem surreal, like a television drama, except for the fact that some of our friends and families were in Japan when the tsunami hit, or who are experiencing first-hand the revolutions taking place in Libya.  The disciples Peter, James and John must also have wondered whether the experiences they were privy to were actually real.

As though from a distance, we stand today and watch as the drama of the transfiguration unfolds.  We see Peter, James and John with Jesus.  In this case, they stand and watch like us as Jesus speaks with Moses and Elijah, as the entire scene is bathed in bright light, as though it was a Hollywood production.  There are two other such scenes written about in the gospels.  These same three disciples had previously been invited to witness the raising of the daughter of Jairus, the synagogue official, and these same three disciples were also the ones present in the Garden of Gethsemane when Jesus was praying during the night before his crucifixion.  It wasn't by happenstance that Peter, James and John were invited to be witnesses to these events.

Because they had witnessed the synagogue official being raised from the dead, the disciples knew that there was something different about this man called Jesus.  He didn't just tell stories about the kingdom, he actually seemed to possess an ability to bring it about, to accomplish the impossible.  What's more, he was able to speak with the dead, with prophets whose stories were legend, but who had never been seen in the flesh by anyone of the current generation.  Could it be that the transfiguration was meant to confirm Jesus story, and to help the disciples to believe that the words he spoke were not just another dramatic production, but that there truly is a heaven, a place to which we are all headed once this earthly life is complete?

Today's scriptures tell us that there was great excitement and joy on the mountaintop as the transfiguration was unfolding.  Peter even wanted to stay there, to build tents, to somehow make this experience more permanent, but the transfiguration was meant not to continue for its own sake, but rather to reassure the hearts of those who witnessed it so that they would be able to console the others when another scene was unfolding before their eyes.  The transfiguration was meant to prepare the disciples to see with eyes of faith and to understand that the trial before Pilate, the Way of the Cross, the crucifixion and the death of Jesus had to be.  The transfiguration was meant to help them to inspire their friends to believe that tragedy is not the end of the story, that there is still another chapter, and the last chapter, the resurrection is the best one of all.

Doctors and other aid workers, priests and people of faith are present in Japan, in Libya, and right here in our midst, responding to the call for help, bandaging the wounded, consoling the dying and encouraging those who mourn, speaking (sometimes with words) the truths of our faith.  Paul's letter to Timothy encourages all of us to believe that suffering in this world can be embraced for the sake of the gospel because Jesus is always close, always holding out his hand, always ready to console us, always holding before us the image of our own resurrection.  Like Abram in the first reading, suffering and trial always call us beyond ourselves, to a land, to a country to a place we have not yet experienced.  Suffering always brings with it some kind of growth, but only when the suffering is over, only once the resurrection has occurred can we appreciate the full extent of the growth, as we in turn assist others who must face their own challenges, not from a distance but walking with them side by side.

Quick fixes

I haven't been paying as close attention in recent weeks, but it seems that there are many opportunities presented for those of us who want to lose weight.  Commercials portray before and after images in an effort to convince us that some plan or the other is the key to a quick fix and a swift solution to the obesity challenge that plagues so many in our society today.

Perhaps for the first time in our history, people involved in the weight loss industry stand to make just as much money if not more than those who are involved in the agriculture and food industries, but the marketing of this industry is often a bunch of smoke and mirrors, and we have to be wise if we're going to avoid getting tricked into believing that there is indeed an instant solution to the illusive prospect of weight loss.

Jesus never promised an instant solution.  He did however speak truth about the kingdom, about God's love for us, about His willingness to forgive even the most grevous sin, his wish that we would all come home.

The funny thing is that we are often quick to call down judgement on others, based on our own perceptions of right and wrong, but often we are hesitant to measure our selves by those same increments.  Perhaps this is why Jesus told his disciples that even if they should be on the brink of presenting their offering, and then realize that a brother has something against them, it's not too late to originate the process of forgiveness.  The prospect of the one who has been wronged initiating the forgiveness must have stopped them in their tracks, but this is indeed what Jesus called them to: being the example that they themselves would want to see.

We too have inherited this same promise, and this same responsibility.  It's up to each one of us to make a difference, beginning with ourselves.

Asking for answers

Today is the liturgical memorial of Saint Patrick.  This is the day that all the world wants to be Irish, or at the very least meet a leprechaun.  In fact one of the priests who lives with me presented special gifts to all our staff (at least the female staff members): beads to be worn in honor of the festival day.

On such a day of celebration, it's worth reflecting for just a moment on the work of Saint Patrick himself.  He was a bishop who spent his life teaching and preaching the good news of the Gospel.  I'm willing to bet that if he were alive today he would have some ingenious way of explaining the finer points of today's scripture readings and his reflection would certainly leave people with a bit of good news to ponder.  Isn't that the hope of all those who are entrusted with the task of proclaiming this good news?

Specifically, the scripture readings for today remind us of the power of prayer to ask for the protection we desire, to ask for the blessings we want, to request the help we need and to trust that when we do our prayers will be heard.  The theme is reflected in the prayer of Ester and in the prayer of the psalmist who says with great confidence Lord on the day I called for help, you answered me, and even in Matthew's gospel passage (7:7-12) as he encourages us to never be afraid to seek the things we need, for we will always find, to knock with full confidence that the door will be opened, and to ask with confidence, trusting even as we pose the question that the request will be heard and responded to.

What a remarkable demonstration of faith this would be.  Perhaps we should all pray for the gift of faith, the same faith that enabled Saint Patrick to preach the gospel is entrusted to us, and if we truly believe that it is, the possibilities are endless.

Will we ever listen?

Lent is a time of grace (the sages have told us this for eons), but will we ever listen?  Will we ever learn how to benefit from the gift that is offered?

Enter the voice of the prophet Jonah, and the story of his long walk, across the city of Nineveh.  The scriptures don't tell us much about this ancient city, other than to describe its size: 'Nineveh was an enormously large city; it took three days to cross it' (Jon 3:1-10) presumably on foot.

What else can we surmise about life in this city?  There is no description of the people who lived there, but the scriptures don't just choose to speak about a city such as this based on the volume of souls who inhabited it.  In this case, the determining factor was their interior dispositions.  We'd probably be safe to assume that prior to Jonah's arrival, many if not the majority of Ninevites paid little or no attention to the call of God.  As we look around us today, I wonder whether we could not equate our present day society with that of this ancient metropol.  To make such a broad generality might be unfair, but the point is that we're not that different from our ancestors in faith.

The point of this story is that when Jonah made his way across the city, and challenged its inhabitants to change their hearts, they listened.  We know nothing of those who may have refused to listen, or to heed the warning, and chances are that there were more than a few of these, but it would appear that at least some (dare we hope that the majority) listened and changed their ways.

In today's world, it's hard to imagine a Jonah walking through our city streets, but maybe God is using other occasions to get our attention (did we say war in the Middle East, earthquakes and tsunami in various parts of the world ...? ).  Even in Jesus' time, society paid him little heed, except for the growing crowds who were drawn, perhaps out of curiosity at first, to listen to his teachings.  Something about what he said must have caught their attention, and stuck because they continued to come back for more.

Were there some Ninevites who refused to listen?  Were there more than a few Israelites who refused to heed the message of Jesus?  Are there even more who seek today, and yet respond more often with skepticism rather than trust when they hear the good news?  What will it take for people to pay attention?  How should the message be proclaimed, so that we (and those we love) will finally listen?

For searching spirits

It's March Break in these parts, and that means that some of the students who would typically be in the midst of classrooms and learning opportunities are instead involved in various recreational activities.  However, university and college students are in the throws of preparing final papers and getting ready for final exams.

The questions and stresses encountered at various levels of our education experience, and throughout the years of our 'growing up' can often seem overwhelming, and in today's society, teenagers are thirsty for answers that make sense.  Enter the work of the Cardinal Newman Society.  Given the fact that only a few short months ago, John Henry Cardinal Newman was beatified (one more miracle needed before he reaches the level of sainthood), perhaps it is fitting that the Society named for him should continue to encourage students to turn to prayer for the answers they seek.

In the era of online information exchange, it is fitting then that the CNS has recently published a video clip, and asked that it be shared with as many young people (and others who can pass it on to them) as possible.  Have a look, and feel free to share if the opportunity should present itself.

AdorationU.com from Cardinal Newman Society on Vimeo.

Beyond the grief

The Japanese people have seen disaster before.  They also know what it's like to overcome atrocities but that doesn't make the experience any easier.  Behind the stoic faces that are portrayed, there is grief and confusion as well, and finding the illusive answer to stem the damage is a puzzle beyond all proportions.

Yet there is another level at which at least this writer's faith assures that those who no longer inhabit their terrestrial bodies are now at peace, and doubtless from their perches in the other world, they now look upon those who are still here with love and tenderness, offering their prayer and their protection.

In the midst of trauma of this magnitude, perhaps words may offer little consolation, but repeated words also reinforce a message of hope, comfort and consolation.  Perhaps this is the most valuable thing we can offer at this time.

Is there anything left

News reports in the night-time hours of yet another fire at the Fukushima nuclear plant, and once again there is concern about the safety of those who are yet in Japan.  Even the emperor has weighed in, trying his best to keep people calm while apologizing and expressing condolences to those who have suffered and to the families of those who have died.

As the decision makers in that country scramble to contain the threat of further nuclear disaster, panic has already begun to rear it's head on this side of the Pacific.  Although unfounded, according to the medical authorities, the threat of radiation poisoning has led to the disappearance of preventative medication from the shelves of many pharmacies, and people are 'stocking up'.

At least one who was consulted though has explained that although the radiation levels are high enough to cause potential death among the population of the area immediately around the Fukushima plant, and that other medical complications can result in other areas of Japan, even if the cloud of radiation were to make its way across the Pacific, its concentration of radiation would be so diluted by the time it got to North America that we would not be affected by it.

Some may say that these are words meant to calm the crowds, and indeed none of us can foretell the outcome as we watch it unfold.  Perhaps the best response we can have is prayer.  Oh, did I mention that I posted a blog entry about prayer just last night?

Pray in this way

Well, it's Tuesday in the first week of Lent, and behold, the scriptures call us to learn how to pray (one of those three key attitudes that we may need to work on during these weeks).

I always find it interesting that the passages (which are pre-assigned) create a certain tension while at the same time speaking very eloquently to the situation we face.  In this case, the book of Isaiah (55:10-11) reminds us of the power of God's word which is never idle, but always working and accomplishing that for which it was sent.  So of course my mind starts wandering ... for what purpose is God's word sent today?

The answer came in the gospel passage (Mt 6:7-15).  Jesus teaches his disciples how to pray.  He tells them not to babble unnecessarily.  How many times do we do just this?  Prayer for many is defined by memorized words which are repeated.  This is indeed a valid way of praying, but Jesus calls us to another level of prayer: daring to speak to the Father as though he were a visitor who arrived at our door.  Admittedly, this is not a custom that comes easily for some, but at least for this person, the concept of a conversation with God is intriguing, and I dare say that the potential is for such a conversation to be continuous, always life-giving.

Jesus teaches his disciples to pray, not using endless phrases, but petitions that speak powerfully about implicit faith and trust, as well as a willingness on our part to do what we can to bring about the promised kingdom:

Our father, who art in heaven
We address the one who is our father, having the relationship of a loving father with the rest of his family.  We confirm the belief expressed by the divine Son that God is in heaven, the kingdom toward which each of us is destined.

Hallowed be thy name
In today`s parlance, we might rephrase this sentiment as may your name always be held holy.  This begs the question, do we do everything we can to always treat the relationship between us and God as one of privilege?  Do we recognize Him as always holy, set apart?

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
This particular phrase comes with an interesting prospect.  The prayer calls for God's kingdom of peace, love and forgivenss to be made manifest on earth, but we are the ones who have been entrusted with the care of the earth, and with the task of bringing about that which we pray for.

Give us this day our daily bread
This petition has little to do with the stuff made from yeast, flour and water, but rather it's about asking for the things we need in order to continue the work of proclaiming the kingdom.  Oh, and just enough of the stuff we need to be sustained, no more no less than we need for each day, one at a time.

and forgive us our trespasses as we  forgive those who have trespassed against us.
Praying for forgivess is understood, but the trick with this part of the prayer is that we ask for forgiveness in the measure to which we ourselves are willing to forgive others who wrong us.  This is putting your money where your mouth is ... literally.

Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Having committed to doing our part, we ask for divine protection from the power of temptation.  This harkens back to the first chapters of the book of Genesis and the temptations and fall from grace experienced by Adam and Eve.  Imagine how life might have been different if Adam and Eve had thought to pray for protection before they fell prey to temptation.

Ah, don`t forget the last word ... Amen ... literally let it be so.  This last word also commits us to doing our part to make sure that the things we prayed for will actually come true.

Prayer should always invite us into an intimate relationship with the One who loves us, and a relationship that is built on love always has room to welcome the sinner even as it challenges each of us to be the best we possibly can be, all for love of the one who first loved us.

Safety with a smile

Every life needs a bit of balance.  Even our Japanese friends are looking for something to even out the tension and suffering these days.  Perhaps we've found something that (even for just a moment) can help to warm our hearts, and pay attention.

The business of commercial airline flight is serious stuff these days.  Once we've made our way through the barrage of security tests, it may very well take a concerted effort to calm the nerves, but thanks to some brilliant folk at Thompson Airways (Britain's third largest carrier), there is a way.


I wonder if other carriers will find brilliant ways like this to make us pay attention.

Given in service

Over the past few days, we have received more and more news about the pain and confusion that is unfolding in the island nation of Japan, and the news has struck home as we heard of one of our own who has served as a missionary for years, suffering and dying in the aftermath of Friday's earthquake.

 Some of us are called to serve at home.  Others are invited to know and love the souls of foreign lands.  This servant was living and working in Japan for almost more years than I've been walking.  It is fitting then that he will be buried among those he has served, but then again most of us who have given that many years of service have put down roots, even in quake-torn lands, and these roots are hard to pull up.

Rest in peace, and pray for the rest of us who are still on the way.

Nuclear effects

So, the news has just hit the wires that the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear plant has indeed experienced a third explosion today, all stemming from the damage inflicted by the earthquake last week.  As a result, the damage is compounded and the suffering exponentially expanded, not to mention the headaches that continue to tumble for those who must care for the injured even as they begin to think about how to contain the damage.

Some of the parishioners were asking just yesterday how they could send funds to help with the rescue efforts that are currently underway.  Normally the Catholic Church here in Canada does such outreach through Development and Peace, the outreach arm of the Canadian Bishops, however D&P does not currently operate in Japan, although they most certainly are aware of other groups such as CARE Canada, Save the Children, the Canadian Red Cross and Doctors without Borders, all of whom seem to have established presences in that Pacific island nation.  More information about Japan relief is available through CBC and other media outlets.

One minute there ...

Over the past few days, news has been pouring in (all over the world) about the ravages being uncovered after the devastating sub-oceanic earthquake(s), for there have been aftershocks up to this past morning causing repeats of the tsunami waves that first hit the coast of Japan on Friday.

Among the situations being watched the most closely is the nuclear power plant that has already seen two blasts and may possibly be facing a third.

Each day brings new images that appear on the news as well as by other means, including a comparative study of satellite images (courtesy of the folk at the New York Times) portraying some of the areas of Japan which have experienced the devastation of the natural disaster.

From half way around the world, it's difficult to comprehend the extent of damage, but even from this distance, sympathy for the suffering and empathy for those who are still struggling to comprehend what has taken place lead us to take action in some way or other.  For some, this action takes the form of reaching out concretely to help in some way; for others this help is offered on a spiritual plain.  One thing is certain, the world has considerably shrunk thanks to technology and we are more aware than ever before that we are all brothers and sisters, suffering together, rejoicing together and finding ways each day to grow together in our understanding of our shared transit through this existence.

Grounded, but left a legacy

News this week of the final flights of the US space shuttles and a consequent shift (yet to be defined) in that country's space program.  The legacy left behind by the shuttles though is definitely worth noting.

I wonder how many people take time to stare at the heavens, and how many can actually identify the International Space Station as it passes by overhead.  In homage to the work of man, and as a nod to all those who have played a hand in the construction of this engineering feat, here is an animated look at the history over the past 13 years or so, of the ISS in various stages of construction.

I wonder what's next.

Temptation, temptation

We're in Year A, and the readings proposed for the Season of Lent are particularly helpful for reflection on the human condition.  They are also prescribed as part of the tools for teaching catechumens, the men and women who have expressed a desire to join the Catholic Church and who will be baptised or received into full communion at the Easter Vigil.  What words!  What promise!  Here then (or hear then) the homily for this weekend:

The most valuable relationship
For some months now, five adults in this community have been meeting weekly to learn about the Catholic faith.  Some of them have never been baptised, but have expressed a desire to explore the possibility of a relationship with our God.  Others have already begun their faith lives, in other Christian denominations and still others were baptised in the Catholic Church but have not yet completed all the Sacraments of Initiation.  Over the past couple of months, they have been learning about the Church and deepening their faith with the help of a team of parishioners who continue to teach the lessons of faith and to share their own experiences of living in relationship with our loving God.

As it happens, we also have three children whose parents have come to the Church and asked us to share the Sacrament of Baptism with their children this weekend.  For these children, and for the adults who will be baptised or received into full communion at the Easter Vigil, this is an important moment in their faith journey, and all of us who are gathered here this weekend are privileged to be able to share this graced time.  The promise of life that is announced to these newcomers is the same promise that is given to each of us.  Paul tells us that it is a promise of life in Christ, who by his act of righteousness won for us the abundance of grace.

In order to help us understand the depth of this grace, the scriptures proposed for this first Sunday of Lent take us back to the story of creation, and remind us that even from the earliest days of our existence human beings have always sought ways to play God, but the truth is that there can only ever be one God, and we are not Him.  To play at being God is the root of all sin, and time has shown that the consequences of such sin are swiftly imposed, not to exclude us from God's love but to show us the seriousness of God's commitment, and the seriousness with which we too should accept our commitment to faith.

The Lenten season is a gift to the Church.  As we prepare for the celebration of Easter, this period of grace allows us first to strip away all the layers of lies that we human beings can so easily get caught in when we try to justify ourselves.  Some of us have become masters at deceiving others, thinking that we need always to be looking out for number one, but the truth is that we can't play this game with God.  Oh, we can try to make room for him in our lives when we need him, and to deny his existence at other times in our lives, thinking that we're too busy or that there are other priorities which are more important, but if we classify faith as part of the disposable society, I'm afraid that we are setting ourselves up for the greatest of all deceptions.

When all is said and done, no other human being can know for sure the inner workings of another's heart.  Only God can read hearts, but then again each of us will eventually have to account for our choices.  The truth is that faith, which begins at baptism, must be nurtured daily.  To do otherwise runs the risk of spiritual starvation.  Only by working every day at our commitment to God, at practicing our faith will we know the strength it has to offer in times of need.  If we haven't developed the habit of prayer, then when we're confronted with trial, the prospect of searching for answers can seem insurmountable.

The Season of Lent invites us to recognize a call to return to the basics, to renew or to strengthen the relationship between us and God.  It was only because he had a living, active relationship with the Father that Jesus was able to detect the devil's deceptions.  His conviction in the power of the Father's love allowed him then to refute Satan's temptations because he knew that the promises proposed were hollow.  The same is true for us today.  If we have nurtured a living faith between God and us, we too will be able to see through the lies that the devil puts before us.  Without it, we might fall prey to the temptation to believe that eating of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, in other words playing God, cannot harm us.  We might be tempted to believe that empty promises can actually satiate our hunger for truth, or that the material riches this world has to offer can indeed provide security.

If however, we have discovered the value of a relationship of trust with our God, we are secure in the knowledge that only God can give us the special food that alone can satisfy our every hunger.  The security of our relationship with the Father assures us that we will always be protected from harm, and that no amount of material wealth could ever satisfy like the wealth of a relationship of love with the One who is love.

They are the elect

Last night, during the anticipatory Mass, most of the catechumens who have been preparing for baptism or full communion with the Church were here.  As Lent begins, the gathered community begins to see more and more evidence of this particular group's presence.

This week, they take another step toward their eventual entrance and full participation in the sacramental life of the Church at prayer.  Until now, they have been meeting and learning, and even attending the liturgies on the weekends, but other than observing and learning (just soaking things in) they have not been taking any active part in the liturgy.  Now, having observed the Rite of Election, they are properly referred to as the Elect of God.

What an honorable title!  What exalting words.  I wonder if they realize their place of honor in the eyes of our Creator!

Truths about life

OK, I have to be honest.  Sometimes there are words (not my own) that are just worth sharing because the lessons to be learned are worth repeating.

Too Soon Old
What do you see nurses? . . . .. . What do you see?
What are you thinking . . . . . when you're looking at me?
A crabby old man . .. . .. . not very wise,
Uncertain of habit . . . . . with faraway eyes?

Who dribbles his food . . . . . and makes no reply.
When you say in a loud voice . . . . . 'I do wish you'd try!'
Who seems not to notice .. .. . .. . the things that you do.
And forever is losing . . . . . A sock or shoe?

Who, resisting or not .. . . . . lets you do as you will,
With bathing and feeding . . . . . The long day to fill?
Is that what you're thinking? . .. . . . Is that what you see?
Then open your eyes, nurse . . . . . you're not looking at me..

I'll tell you who I am. . . .. . . As I sit here so still,
As I do at your bidding, . . . . . as I eat at your will.
I'm a small child of Ten . . .. . . with a father and mother,
Brothers and sisters . . . . .. who love one another.

A young boy of Sixteen . . . . with wings on his feet.
Dreaming that soon now . . . . . a lover he'll meet.
A groom soon at Twenty . . . . . my heart gives a leap.
Remembering, the vows . . . . . that I promised to keep.

At Twenty-Five, now . . .. . . I have young of my own.
Who need me to guide . . . . .. And a secure happy home.
A man of Thirty . . . . . My young now grown fast,
Bound to each other . . . .. . With ties that should last.

At Forty, my young sons . . . . . have grown and are gone,
But my woman's beside me . . . .. . to see I don't mourn.
At Fifty, once more, babies play 'round my knee,
Again, we know children . . . . .. My loved one and me.

Dark days are upon me . . . . . my wife is now dead.
I look at the future . . . . . shudder with dread.
For my young are all rearing . .. . . . young of their own.
And I think of the years . . . . . and the love that I've known.

I'm now an old man . . . . .. and nature is cruel.
'Tis jest to make old age . . . . . look like a fool.
The body, it crumbles . . . . . grace and vigor, depart.
There is now a stone . . . . where I once had a heart.

But inside this old carcass . . . . . a young guy still dwells,
And now and again . . . . . my battered heart swells.
I remember the joys . . . . . I remember the pain.
And I'm loving and living . . . .. . life over again.

I think of the years, all too few . .. . . . gone too fast.
And accept the stark fact . . .. . that nothing can last.
So open your eyes, people .. . ... . . open and see.
Not a crabby old man . .. . Look closer . . . see ME!!

This poem was written by Dave Griffith of Fort Worth, Texas.  It was written more than 20 years ago and was meant to be simple and to the point, portraying life from youth through to old age, including reflections about playing high school football, serving in the Marines, marriage, and the ravages of his own disabilities.

One thing is sure, the lessons are valuable no matter who you are.

On fasting

Ever since I was a little child, I've heard the message about fasting during Lent.  Catholics of my generation may well have heard such phrases as What are you giving up for Lent, and so it's no surprise to hear Jesus speak about this discipline, but truly understanding the extent of the message may be another thing altogether.

In fact the prophet Isaiah spoke about the discipline of fasting long before Jesus even walked the earth, so the concept definitely isn't something new.  So where does the understanding of giving something up come from?  Answer: I think it comes from popular understanding of ways to deprive ourselves of the familiar luxuries in order to make room in our lives for listening to the inner voice of God.  It may even have its roots in this weekend's scriptures which speak of Jesus' temptations in the desert (more on that subject in the coming days).

Fasting was also known as a penitential act, so it would have been right for Jesus to challenge the disciples of John who questioned his own disciples' lack of fasting.  Then again, Jesus explanation brings about another point worth pondering.  The discipline of fasting (and all the disciplines of Lent) are meant to bring us closer to our God, to facilitate our awareness of his presence and his constant care for us.  Eventually each of us will complete our earthly journey and gaze on the face of our God, and at that time there will be no more need for fasting or for penance.  The disciples already had an opportunity to experience full knowledge in presence of Jesus, the Son of God.  To fast would have been to admit that somehow they were deprived of His presence, and the fullness of love and life he offers even today.

Then there is the deeper understanding of the discipline of fasting.  It's not only about giving something up, but more about recognizing injustice in our world and doing something about it.  Isaiah reminds us that we can't live our faith locked up in an ivory tower and looking out at the world around us.  We need to get down and dirty, in the depths of the trenches.  We need to recognize the injustices caused by human weakness and we need to speak out about them, to do something about them.  He even gives some concrete examples: releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke, setting free the oppressed, breaking every yoke,sharing your bread with the hungry, sheltering the oppressed and the homeless,clothing the naked when you see them and not turning your back on your own.

These words of wisdom have spoken to hearts for generations, and continue even today to call us to the essentials of living faith even today.  These are not easy tasks, they are necessary tasks that come to light when we understand the true meaning of fasting.

Calm, and far away

The sun rose this morning, hidden behind the clouds, but present nonetheless.  Evidence of the wind that has been gusting throughout the night, and the snow flakes, mixed with water that has been falling for quite some time from the sky is everywhere to be seen, a picture postcard of quiet beauty.  In locales sheltered from the wind, the snow has settled gently on the branches of the birches, painting a scene of white on white that appears brilliantly against the grey skies.

Oh for a camera!

Meanwhile, half a world away, there was a violent earthquake through the night, measuring 8.9 on the Richter scale that hit off the coast of Japan.  This quake triggered a tsunami that has already hit the coast of Japan and caused fire and flooding, and left parts of that country in devastation.  The actual extent of the damage will not be known for quite some time, but already, tsunami warnings have been issued this morning for 20 countries throughout the Pacific ocean as far away as New Zealand and as local as the West coast of Canada, Alaska, the USA and parts of Mexico.

Low lying areas of British Columbia's west coast are now under a voluntary evacuation order, but updates will be issued in the coming hours.  The tsunami is due to reach Canada by 9:30 am Eastern time today.

New today in books

It was almost four years ago that Pope Benedict published the first volume of his work Jesus of Nazareth.  Even as it hit the bookshelves, there was already talk of a second part to this work, and behold that second part was published today in Rome.

This second volume covers the life of Jesus from the Entrance into Jerusalem to the Resurrection.  To mark the occasion, a special press conference was held in the John Paul II Hall, part of the Vatican Press Office.  Present at the press conference were His Eminence, Marc Ouellet, P.S.S., Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops and Claudio Magris, a writer and German scholar.

The Vatican Press Office, which holds the copyright for this new work is pretty smart.  This book launch coincides with the beginning of the Lenten period, a time when believers and skeptics alike will flock to bookstores around the world to get their hands on the volume.  Some will be looking for guidance for their prayer, others will examine with a more critical eye.  In the end, it's quite possible that the Holy Father is already in line to become a best-selling author once again.

Choose life

The Lenten scripture passages are particularly paradoxical.  The book of Deuteronomy sets the stage right off the bat: every one of us has a choice to make between life and prosperity or death and doom.  These images are rather stark, but that's what this season is about.  There's no room for fudging the facts.  The call is out: come follow in His footsteps, or get off the train.

The voices of this world try to paint images of fear when we think of death, but the scriptural understanding of death is different.  It has nothing to do with being separated from those we love, rather it's about growing closer to them by choosing to die to ourselves.  Anyone who has truly loved another knows what it's like to die to self, and to put the interests of the other ahead of our own.  To do otherwise is an act of selfishness, and there is definitely no room for selfishness in the plan for this kind of life.

Poor Jesus had to try to explain this truth to the disciples.  From the distance of years past, it might be tempting for us to think that those first followers were just a bit dense, but if we're honest with ourselves, we'll also admit that we ourselves can be hard headed when it comes to listening to the wisdom of faith.  At other moments in his life, Jesus tried to tell his disciples that the kingdom is about service, about being present to others, about leading by example and about calling all people to follow in faith, but I wonder if Peter and his friends understood the extent to which they would be asked to commit to this life.

Jesus' concept of life challenges all of us to the deepest level of commitment, even unto death, death on a cross: the most shameful and painful method of death known at the time.  In today's world, some of us are called to live this example in great suffering, others are challenged to love to the extent of wanting to accept suffering on behalf of others, even if we may not be able to do anything but sit compassionately with those who bear their pain with various levels of dignity.

But then again, this is what it's all about.  Willingness to take up the cross necessitates an equal willingness to renouce life by any human standards of success and ever deeper levels of trust in the One who promises everlasting life.  Letting go of the former is at times a disquieting proposition, but the reward is more than worth it.

Choose life therefore, the right kind of life.  It makes all the difference.

On the second go around

There was a second gathering of the faithful here today, and as though the first was a practice for the second, there were almost 600 people present for the later gathering. Some cynics might believe that people seem to come to the Church in droves whenever we are 'giving something away'. In a materialistic society, this might appear to be quite easy to believe, but I think that there's much more to the story.

On the surface, many people might prefer to make the world think that everything's OK, that all the pieces are in the right place, but somewhere under all the appearances, how many of us really do have all the pieces in the right places? How many of us have a shadow side: the part of us that we would rather ignore ... until we are forced to face the demons?

Is it the fact that we 'give away' ashes today that summons so many people to be here? or is there a deeper reality ... the fact that there's a part of all of us that needs to be admitted, that needs to be healed, that hopes for reconciliation? The Lenten call to repentence speaks more eloquently than any words, because the truth is that no human words are as profound as God's call for us to return, as God's reminder for us to care for one another, as God's urging for us to share the goods of this earth that are blessings shared with us in the first place.

The Lenten discipline calls us to fast from the abundance that surrounds us every day, so that we can find room to hunger for God, for change, for a renewed appreciation for the love that He offers, and God's response is a gift that we receive in such abundance that we cannot even begin to measure it.

Happy Lent.

Breaking through

A couple of years ago, I had a chance to try my hand at creating Pysanky, the intricately-designed and highly polished Easter eggs typically prepared by Ukrainians during the period of Lent.

They are beautiful for a reason: the process of painting them is not as easy as it might first appear. Starting with a fresh egg, layers of wax are applied ever so delicately to the parts of the shell that the artist wants to leave white, then the egg is dipped into the lightest of dyes, just long enough for the porous shell to absorb enough of the colour. The process of applying increasing amounts of wax and then varying colours is repeated until the majority of the egg shell, if not the entire shell is covered in wax.

Once the design is complete, the final stage is the removal of the layers of wax, which usually turns black thanks to the combination of carbon and other elements released by heated metal and the burning wick of a candle (from which the wax is taken). To do this, the egg is typically placed in a slightly heated oven (or some other suitable environment) and then the wax is wiped away, layer by layer. What emerges is a beautiful piece of art, which must then be protected by a layer of transparent lacquer (or two or three).

The Lenten experience which begins today for all Christians is not unlike the experience of removing the layers of wax from a completed Pysanky. Life has a way of building up such layers, thanks to the human tendency to turn away from any relationship that does not at first appear to be fruitful, but thankfully the period of reflection which is provided for on an annual basis allows those who accept the invitation to begin the process of gently removing these layers one by one.

Diligent observers, and even those who only work a bit at this process of removing the dirt, are rewarded with the 'prize' of discovering afresh the original beauty of the relationship we were all meant to enjoy with the One who has known us from the day of baptism. Ah, the water that first washed away the stain of sin still has the power to unite us, and to gently invite us back to the moments of discovery and grace that await.

The Lenten scriptures invite us all to strip away the layers of wax, to rediscover the true beauty that lies within, and to glory in God's great gift of love.

Almost didn't make it

The morning routine was disrupted today. His normal pattern of stopping at the chapel for a moment of prayer in the pre-dawn hours was extended by an extra hour because his replacement didn't show up. Result: everything else in the day got pushed back.

By the time he arrived at home, intent on meeting his wife and then heading off to the early-morning liturgy, there was more than a faint doubt about whether or not their presence at this once-a-year morning gathering would actually become a reality. It's amazing what can happen though when one puts his (or her) mind to it. In short, they both made it in lots of time before the dulcid tones of the Introit signaled the beginning of the synaxys.

'Whew,' he breathed a sigh of relief. No need to worry that this precious moment would pass them by. Instead, the promise of divine company for the trip through the desert, accompanied by a visible reminder (even if only for a moment) traced upon the forehead, that this is a different time, a more sombre time, a period of coming to grips with the temptation to run away, seven weeks of preparation for soul and body in anticipation of the great feast of Easter.

Good thing he didn't decide to dally over breakfast.

The party's (almost) over

In places like Port of Spain, Trinidad and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the party has been in high swing for almost a week, but at the stroke of midnight tonight, it's all over.

Shrove Tuesday will soon give way to Ash Wednesday, and the beginning of the Christian observance of Lent.

In some parts of the world, the reverie will give way to sombre observance of this period of preparation for the Solemnity of Easter, but in other parts of the world, one might wonder whether the rising sun will bring any recognizable change compared with the day that has just ended. In places like China, where Christianity is in the minority, this is to be expected, but in other parts of the world, places where society seems to be in a post-Christian environ, the lack of observance of this (or any other) tradition leaves some lamenting and others floundering.

Perhaps this Lent will present an occasion (or two) for people who have the knowledge about the significance of this liturgical season to inform others, to challenge them, to give them a reason to want to use this time to discover the gift being offered by the Lord.

From the boss

Just so we're on the same page, I checked out the translation of the Holy Father's Angelus address from yesterday (it's available in it's original Italian text and in English (and a bunch of other languages) by now.

It's pretty awe-inspiring to think that because the same texts of scripture are used every day all over the world, the reflections and thoughts presented in homilies all over this planet are also at least based on the same texts. Sometimes, they actually complement each other, and in the age of electronic communication, it's easy to compare and contrast the reflections. When they mesh, it's a pretty neat experience because it helps even the preachers to deepen our appreciation for the power of scripture's words.

A first for March

Outside, there has been a winter storm raging in these parts.  If I didn't know better, I might be tempted to think that we should be singing Carols instead of preparing for the beginning of Lent.  Inside however, it's a different story.  Rarely does the Church celebrate a ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time (the scheduling of our weeks is usually taken over by the Lenten period by now), but this is the latest that Easter can ever be scheduled, so we consequently start Lent very late too.

For the ninth Sunday of Ordinary Time, the Church proposes that we disciples of Jesus have our faith tested in a way, so here is my offering for this week, complete with the audio version as it was recorded live at the Saturday evening Mass:

Built on rocks that rumble
First impressions definitely do leave lasting memories.  I remember the first time I ever lived in a mining town, this mining town to be exact.  It was a new experience, and like all new experiences, there were a number of things that everyone else around me seemed to take for granted, but things that made me ponder.  One of the first nights after arriving, I was sitting in the living room with the pastor of the parish to which I was assigned.  Suddenly there was a rumble that seemed to shake the entire house.  Was it an earthquake?  The pastor must have seen the horrified look on my face, for he smiled and reassured me, 'It's the nightly blast.  It happens every night.  You'll get used to it.'  Many years have now passed, and I must admit that sometimes I'm still not sure whether I'm used to hearing the blast, or feeling the rumble of the earth, but more often than not, I'm not even aware of it these days.  Is that a good sign? or just proof that I must be well settled in.

Jesus urges his disciples in today's gospel to build their faith on rock, not on sand.  When you live in a city that is built on rock, I suppose it's easy to catch the meaning of such advice, but a bit of time and a little closer look might still be worthwhile.  Remember that Jesus was speaking to his disciples, who were all Jewish.  They understood the prescripts of the Old Testament, and they were well acquainted with the practice of the Orthodox Jews, much more than many of us are today.  Those who still uphold the prescripts of the Law as it is outlined in the Torah will still use a prayer shawl when they pray, and even strap small boxes called tephillim to their foreheads and to their left arms.  Inside these boxes, there are small pieces of paper, traditionally parchment, on which are written some precious words, inspirational words taken from the books of Deuteronomy and Exodus.  Words such as Listen O Israel, the Lord our God is the one God.  You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your strength (Dt 6:4-5).  Where did this custom of wearing words come from ... it came from Moses himself, who told his people to be keepers of the commandments.  He told them that their whole lives would be based on the word of God.  If they kept these commandments, God would assure blessing.  If not, God would respond with a curse.

Jesus recognized the fact that Moses' message was solidly based on the promise of God, and any message so solidly assured was and is worth building on.  Jesus told his disciples to be keepers of God's law, always seeking to do His will.  He told them, and he tells us to base our lives entirely on the message he proclaims.  Just as Moses told his disciples to expect blessings and curses, so Jesus continues the theme: if we keep God's will, we can look forward to the blessing that comes from keeping His word, or the curse that is self-inflicted when we choose to forgo his friendship.

What, you may ask, is this message that Jesus wants us to base our lives on?  The answer has been given to us in bits and pieces in the gospel passages over the last couple of weeks.  The kingdom of Heaven is close at hand, the values of this world are not the same as the values of the gospel, and in fact the gentle, the merciful and the poor in spirit are further on their way to finding happiness than we are if we insist on relating to our world only by the values dictated by society.  In order to truly appreciate this message, each of us must strive to be forgiving in our ways, chaste in our relationships, faithful in our marriages.  We must concentrate on showing love to our enemies, even praying for our persecutors instead of seeking retribution.  We must guard against enslavement to materialism, put a liberating trust in God's providence, go easy in our judgments toward others, and persevere relentlessly in our prayer.  We must be a dying breed, dying to ourselves that is, dying to selfishness and rising each day to generosity and new life.  We must walk a thin line in our daring and adventurousness, and yet we must trust in Christ's assurances that we are walking on rock, not shaky rock that falls out once it's been blasted free, but solid rock that has stood the test of time.

The danger for all of us is that we might be tempted to keep God's word in our own little boxes.  An even greater danger is that we might be tempted to make our boxes bigger, putting on a display of piety like the Pharisees did and keeping God's word more securely locked up.  What protective creatures we can be at times: too much at home in our own surroundings, too comfortable to want to venture beyond our own comforts in order to be truly missionary in our approach to living the gospel, and yet this is exactly what we must do.  Christ won't leave us hanging.  When the rains come and the floods rise, and the storms of life begin to blow, he is always a rock of refuge for us.  What more could we possibly ask for?