Advent Day 5

In chapter 5 Jesus called his 1st disciples - Simon Peter, James and John.  They left everything and followed him. I am not sure that I could do the same. I am not sure that I could leave all my friends and family and home and follow anyone on an unknown adventure. However, seeing the miracles first hand might have convinced me. 

Except....I have left everything I knew and, after asking God to take us where we were needed, followed His will. I think i can see why the first disciples left their home and followed Jesus!

Jesus also cleansed a leper I told him not to tell anyone. But the leper told his tale and great multitude started to gather around Jesus to hear and be healed.

Chapter 5 also includes one of my favorite stories about Jesus healing the paralytic. Because of the great crowds the paralytic's friends lowered him from the roof into the house. Jesus healed him saying your sins are forgiven.

Jesus called Levi, a tax collector, to "follow me". Jesus dined with Levi and other tax collectors. He explained to the pharisees that people that are not ill have no need of a physician. "I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance". We are all sinners and need Jesus!

Advent Day 4

Jesus was led into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit where he was tempted by the devil. The devil had some compelling arguments to try to get Jesus to sin. 

Sometimes the devil is not so obvious with his temptations to us. If he could not trick Jesus into sinning, it shows me that by depending on Jesus in my every day life, I, too, can recognize the devil and rebuke this temptations.

When Jesus was rejected by those in his hometown, I could identify. There are times in my life that I felt rejected by the small community I grew up in - I went away too. The negativity and self-doubting can be toxic. Getting away (fight or flight) is understandable.

Advent Day 3

I read Luke Chapter 3 yesterday but didn't  get to publish my post, so here it is. 

John the Baptist  began preaching baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins - "..prepare the way of the Lord..."

He preached about practical ways to help others whether by sharing your extra clothing, being honest in your dealings with others, and by being content with the wages paid to you. 

John denied to all that he was the Christ and explained his unworthiness to even untie the sandals of the Christ. John baptized by water but Christ would baptize with the Holy Spirit  and fire.

Jesus was baptized by John in the Jordan. God spoke those famous words "You are my beloved son, with you I am well pleased".

The ancestry of Jesus through Joseph is fascinating and when read to the end of the chapter concludes "...the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God." This should remind us that we all are descendants of Adam - the son of God - so our genealogy ends this same way.

Advent Day 2

The second chapter of Luke tells us the very familiar story of Mary and Joseph traveling to Bethlehem. Mary gave birth to Jesus in a manger because there was no room at the inn and he wore swaddling clothes. The shepherds are visited by the angels and told of the birth. They went to Bethlehem. 

Jesus was named and then presented at the temple. Simeon, inspired by the holy spirit, recognizes the Christ child, blesses God and then blesses Jesus's parents.

Jesus grew up in Nazareth.  After the Passover feast at Jerusalem the year Jesus was 12 years old, he stayed behind when his parents returned home. The first night they realized he was not with the group and returned to Jerusalem. After searching for him, they found him in the temple. Jesus said to them .."did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?"

Upon their return to Nazareth, Jesus was obedient to his parents. And Mary "kept all these things in her heart" - most earthly mothers would understand this. Jesus grew up and gained wisdom. 

This chapter covers the period of Jesus's life from birth to adulthood. Not much else is known except those events described here. Nearly everyone I know wants to know about those formative years that are not chronicled for us. However, I like to think that those events not told at the ones Mary and Joseph kept in their hearts - special, private, and not for public consumption. 

Advent Day 1

I am going to try to read the Gospel according to Luke (read here on the USCCB site) this Advent - 24 chapters, 1 a day from now to Christmas Eve.

In chapter 1, we read about the foretelling of the birth of John the Baptist to his elderly parents Zechariah and Elizabeth. What a wonderful surprise for both - although Elizabeth had a fairly peaceful nine months because Zechariah did not believe the angel Gabriel when he was told this would be happening and was struck mute!

And then Mary, a virgin betrothed to Joseph, was chosen to birth the son of God! What an exciting and terrifying time for her. When the angel Gabriel announced this to Mary (called the Annunciation), we are all indebted to her for saying "yes". Without her consent, our world would be very different. Thank you Mary, our Blessed Mother, for consenting to this great responsibility and world changing birth. The "Canticle of Mary" is a beautiful song from Mary blessing God and all of His great works - I love reading this passage.

We also read about the first person to recognize that the child Mary was carrying was "my Lord" -  John leaped for joy in Elizabeth's womb when Mary entered. A very humbling and amazing occurrence.

This chapter also tells of the birth of John and that Zechariah's speech was returned once he agreed with Elizabeth that their son's name is John. Oh, the peaceful silence has been lifted! John would be raised without strong drink and filled with the Holy Spirit. He would "make ready for the Lord a people prepared."

Please join me in the reading of Luke and leave your own comments here.

Stay tuned for tomorrow and Chapter 2.

Advent 2020

Thanksgiving dinner is done - some stores are already opened for "Black Friday" and more will be opening soon. I don't buy into the Black Friday hoopla; however, I am getting very excited! Advent begins in just a few short days! Are you ready? I am frantically trying to decide which Advent resource we will use this year and what I am going to do to make it an even better Advent than the last.

Advent is not about how many Christmas cards I can get written and in the mail in the morning, although I do enjoying getting them sent out early (for many reasons). Advent is not about how many Christmas parties we have to attend. Neither it is about how many gifts need to be purchased and wrapped or what I am getting for my husband for Christmas (not even about what he is getting me!).

Advent is a time for preparation and anticipation. It is a time to ask God for forgiveness, forgive those who have wronged you, give of our time, talent, and treasures - especially for those who are less fortunate, and to celebrate the birth of our Lord and savior, Jesus Christ.

Also Advent appears to be a time when new deacons are ordained - at least in the Yakima Diocese. Next Saturday several men will be ordained as permanent deacons - including one from our parish. Mike, we are so happy that you have answered God's call to service. We will be praying for you and Carol this week as you prepare for this huge step. God bless you both.

So please join me in praying for the new deacons and preparing for an amazing Advent season. It is a busy time for all - especially the priests, deacons, and others in the parish who plan the amazing "special effects" for Advent. From the decorations, flowers, candles, and beautiful music to those who are lectors, acolytes, and alter servers - everyone is busy with the preparations and the extra Masses, etc. Remember to take time to thank God for all of your blessings and to pray for peace, kindness, and mostly for love. Our world needs all the love (and prayers) it can get.

Happy Advent all!

Growing Up in a Small Town

I moved around quite a bit growing up. My parents divorced when I was 5 years old - we moved from country to city. We lived in a great neighborhood - I still have friends from those days. We moved to southern California when I was in 3rd or 4th grade and then we moved back to the Pacific Northwest with a new stepfather. My twin sisters were born when I was 10 years old - and we moved a few more times before settling in the Tri-Cities for a few years. My brother, 3 years older, and I moved to a very small town in Idaho with our father and stepmother. This is the town I grew up in (from 12 to 17; and then from 19 to 40-something).

This small town was filled with little old ladies (and men) who gossiped all day, stuck their noses in other people's business, and did not hesitate to pick up the phone and call my parents to report my "nefarious" activities regardless of the hour of the day. It also contained lots of good people who truly cared, sprinkled with a dash of not-so-good (but actually not bad) folks who just wanted to have a good time.

I was not a pretty teenager but I wasn't ugly either. I had long legs and loved wearing mini skirts very much. I also loved wearing blue jeans and t-shirts. I loved my parents but had a huge stubborn streak and did not do well with authority.

My brother died when I was 15 and my life was never the same. I hadn't been living at home at the time of his death but I went back for a short time because I knew that is what my brother would want. That didn't last very long.  I considered suicide briefly but made my mind up that I wouldn't give the people in this small town the satisfaction of going to my funeral - so that was that.

I did my fair share of partying and started smoking at 16. I lived life in that small town and never lied about who I was. I never tried to pass myself off as a "goodie two shoes" or the perfectly groomed "girl next door". I went to school, got good grades without a lot of effort, and graduated after 3 1/2 years of high school. I couldn't wait to get out of this small town and on my own! I did leave - got married - but was "back home" within a year. I got pregnant and discovered this just after my divorce was finalized. My daughter saved my life.

Eventually I met and married a man with three older kids and we had another one together. He adopted by daughter and life was good - or so I thought. That is a story for another post. We were married for nearly 15 years (the oldest kids were gone, the youngest was the only one at home).

The problem with a small town is everyone knows everyone and everyone's business - personal public - nothing is private. I learned a long time ago to not give two rips about what other people thought of me. But when my husband (yes, my third) and I decided we wanted to convert to Catholicism, we made the logical choice of going to the nearest Catholic Church (in the small town where I grew up). The very first time we walked through that door early one Sunday morning, I did not feel welcomed at all. Come to find out I knew a lot of people who were Catholic! Who knew? And they all knew every mistake I had made since I was 12.

While that didn't go well, we persevered and found a Catholic Church in a neighboring city that welcomed us with opened arms and so much unconditional love. Even when they learned that I had been married twice before and that not one, but two annulments had to be filed, they still loved us unconditionally. We were not judged for anything in our past. That is how every single Catholic Church should be - welcoming to ALL - even if we know the person to be a sinner (aren't we all sinners?); even if we know the person has had three husbands; it is NOT our place to judge anyone that walks through the door.

We no longer live in that small town. Both of my parents have passed and are buried there. I still have a few friends there; however, I have no desire to go back to that small town for any reason. I have moved on to another chapter of my life and while I was shaped by my life in that small town, there is nothing for me there.

I have learned a few things especially useful in my ministry as a Deacon wife from my time in the small town: 1) judging others is not right and should be left to God; 2) loving others is unconditional and given freely to all; and 3) welcoming newcomers to our parish/Church should be the responsibility of all parishioners.