Advent

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Advent

Angels     Announcement

Leaping     Birthing     Fulfilling

He Shall Be Peace

Emmanuel

(photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture: Micah 5:1 to 4a

Thus says the Lord: You, Bethlehem-Ephrathah too small to be among the tribes of Judah, from you shall be born for Me one who will lead Israel: whose origin is from of old, from ancient times.

Therefore the Lord will give them up, until the time when she who is to give birth has delivered, and the rest of his family shall return to the children of Israel.

He shall stand solid and watch over his flock by the power of the Lord, in the majestic name of the Lord, his God; and they shall remain.

For now his greatness shall spread to the ends of the earth.

He shall be peace.

Reflection

The prophet Micah tells us where the leader of the people will be born. The tiny village of Bethlehem will have that honor.

This was the home of the great King David. The Messiah was to come from the line of David.

It is amazing that such a great leader would come from such an insignificant town. You might predict that the Messiah might come from Jerusalem or some other large town.

God has a different plan. Many times we see God choosing a person or place that the rest of us would overlook.

Micah indicates that this child will help people to return to the family of Israel. The role of this young child is one of unity.

We all strive to achieve this unity and to bring all people together. So many people are upset when they see bitterness and hatred between different groups in our society. We know instinctively that we need to be better.

This leader from Bethlehem shall watch over the flock. You sense the caring and the concern of this leader. 

These are the types of leaders that we need for our families, our Church, and our society. They are called to serve others and not themselves.

Micah points out that they "stand solid" as they tend the flock. They do not abandon anyone because they are fueled by the power of the Lord. 

This leader will not be limited to one nation or region. His love and caring will be so great that his message will spread to the ends of the earth.

It is interesting that this spreading will not be done by force or compulsion. This leader will embody Peace.

As we ponder this prophecy during Advent, we are amazed that our God loves us so much that God wants to gift us with a special person who will watch over us and lead us to true Peace.

Kathy's photo shows us the power of Light to overcome the darkness of division and hatred that can distract us and frustrate us.

There is another path to take. Emmanuel has come to help us find true Peace.

1. What is your image of Bethlehem?

2. Why does God sometimes choose such insignificant places in which important leaders are born?

3. Why is having leaders who bring unity so important for us today? 

4. How have you found true Peace?

Exultation

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Exultation

Joyful     Heartfelt

Renewing     Acclaiming     Proclaiming

What Should We Do

Pray

(photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:     Zephaniah 3:14 and 17

Shout for joy, O daughter Zion! Sing with JOY, O Israel!

Be glad and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem!

The Lord, your God, is with you, a mighty savior; he will exult with you in gladness, and renew you with God's Love.

Philippians 4:4 to 7

Sisters and brothers: Rejoice in the Lord at all times. I will say it once more: rejoice! Your caring should be known by all. The Lord is close to us. Have no worries at all, but in all things, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your needs known to God. Then the peace of God that goes beyond all understanding will protect your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Luke 3:10

The crowds asked John the Baptist, "What should we do?"

Reflection

Zephaniah is literally bursting with JOY! He is rejoicing so much that the joy comes out of him.

It is a joy that causes Zephaniah to exult with his heart. You might ask, "Why all this JOY?"

Zephaniah tells us clearly: the Lord is in our midst. God is with us. How can we not rejoice?

When we become aware of that presence, we allow God to renew us with God's Love. 

We feel the Love.

We are moved.

How can we contain that type of JOY?

In Philippians we are told to rejoice always! We look at that and say how is that possible?

We can rejoice sometimes---when things are going well, when we get good news, when our favorite sports team wins, when a child is born!

But always!

That seems like a real stretch for us!!!

Philippians gives us a key: our caring! When we truly care for each person and respect the dignity of each person, the JOY that Jesus wants to share with us can transform us.

Prayer leads us into that caring and that rejoicing. It also leads us into a deeper understanding of peace.

In Luke we hear the people in the crowd asking John the very important question: "What should we do?"

When we have that JOY, when we spread it always with our rejoicing, when we are aware that we live in the presence of God, when we know that peace that goes beyond all understanding, we know what we should do!

The formula is simple: share what we have with others, be honest, spread the Good News.

Kathy's photo shows us the power of that LIGHT: Jesus is with us! 

1. Have you ever been bursting with JOY like Zephaniah?

2. How do you feel when you become aware of the presence of God?

3. Is it really possible to rejoice always?

4. What should we do?

5. What do you feel when you contemplate Kathy's photo? 

Wrapped

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Wrapped

Cloak     Justice

Preparing     Lighting      Glorifying

Partnership With The Gospel

Word

(photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:   Baruch 5:1 and 2

Jerusalem, take off your robe of sadness and misery; put on the splendor of glory from God always: wrapped in the cloak of justice from God, bear on your head the mitre that shows the glory of the eternal name. 

Philippians 1:4 to 6 

Sisters and brothers: I pray always with joy in each prayer for all of you, because of your partnership with the gospel from the beginning of my ministry with you until now. I am sure of this: that the one who ignited this good work in you will continue it until the day when Jesus comes again.

Luke 3:2 and 3

During the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the desert. John went through the whole area of the Jordan, speaking to all about a baptism that would lead to conversion away from a life of sin.

Reflection

I think of a very cold day.

It's freezing outside.

I put on a big sweater.

Get my gloves and hat.

Look for my winter coat.

Now I'm ready.

Bring on the cold!

I'm wrapped and warm.

As I reflect on these readings that is the image that comes to mind. I think about God's Love in the same way.

Yes there are obstacles in life.

Of course there will be setbacks.

I will make a ton of mistakes.

I will say some really dumb things.

I will forget to communicate other things that I should have shared.

Through all these challenges, God is wrapping me in Love and Justice. That wrapping helps me to proclaim the Glory of God in the season of Advent when we do not sing or say the Gloria during our worship.

I proclaim that Glory by acting justly, by treating others with respect, by acknowledging the dignity of each person I meet.

We are all honored to be partners with Jesus and the community in sharing the Gospel. We can spread the JOY that Jesus shares with us. We are privileged to be bearers of Good News.

A good work has been ignited in us as it was in John the Baptist. Just as he went around in the area of the Jordan River, we can go around in our own circle of friends and witness the miracle of conversion---a conversion that comes when a person feels wrapped in the Love of Jesus.

Enjoy your Advent Wrapping!

1. Have you ever felt wrapped in the Love and Justice of God?

2. How do you proclaim the Glory of God?

3. What does it mean for you to be a partner with Jesus and the community in proclaiming the Gospel?

4. Is there a conversion that you need this Advent? 

Advent

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Advent

Promise     Incarnation

Waiting     Vigilant     Fulfilling

The Son of Man

Second

(picture and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:   Luke 21: 25 to 28

Jesus said to His followers: "There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on earth countries will be confused, upset by the pounding of the sea and the waves. People will die of fear as they ponder what will be coming upon the world, for the very powers of the heavens will be moved. And then all will see the Son of Man descending in a cloud with might and great glory. But when you see these signs come to pass, stand up and lift your heads because your redemption is at hand."

Reflection

This weekend we begin the season of Advent. Most of us think of these four weeks as our time to prepare for the great feast of the Incarnation, Christmas.

When you reflect on it, however, you realize that Jesus has already come over two thousand years ago. What we are really preparing for and focusing on is the Second Coming of Jesus.

Our reading from the Gospel of Luke points us in that direction. We hear about all these upsetting signs. It sounds like chaos will reign. 

There will be powerful storms. Even the heavens will be moved.

The people are afraid. 

Then the Son of Man comes. We see the power and the glory.

We begin to realize our place in the world. It is so easy for us to think that we are the center of the universe. 

Luke gives us a different perspective. The Son of Man will take care of the chaos and confusion and share the gift of redemption with us.

Advent is our time to realize that Jesus not only loved us at the time of the first Christmas but continues to love us and wants to prepare for us a special place FOREVER!

In the midst of this very busy season, isn't it refreshing to take a brief moment and to breathe that in?

The leaves have fallen.

As we add them to our compost piles, they will become transformed and enrich our gardens.

Jesus is coming a SECOND time to enrich us and to uplift us and to transform us.

Advent is our time to realize that Jesus. who is always with us and never abandons us, will come again to bring us ever more completely into the Embrace of God.

Enjoy your Advent Embrace!

1. When you think of Advent, what comes to mind for you?

2. During Advent do you focus more on the First Christmas or the Second Coming of Jesus?

3. Do you react with fear when you think of the Second Coming of Jesus?

4. How does Jesus help you to overcome the chaos and confusion that you sometimes feel?

(scripture adaptation, reflection, and questions by John J. McNamara) 

Kingship

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Kingship

Alpha     Omega

Revealing     Rejoicing     Restoring

Behold He Is Coming

Truth

(photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:   Revelation 1: 7 and 8

Look, He is coming amid the clouds, and all will see Him, even those who harmed Him. Everyone shall lament Him. Yes. Amen.

"I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "the one who is now and who was before and who will come, the all powerful."

John 18: 37

Pilate said to Jesus, "Are you a king?"

Jesus replied, "You call me a king. This is why I was born and why I have come into the world, to speak the truth. All who embrace the truth listen to my message."

Reflection

This Sunday we celebrate the Feast of Christ the King. It marks the end of the Liturgical Year.

Our readings for this Feast are themselves a Feast of insights on the ministry and message of Jesus. They speak about a unique Kingship.

In the Book of Revelation we are told that Jesus is coming and we will all be able to see Him. He is coming for everyone----even those who have harmed Him. He wants to reach out to all, He is for all, He embraces all.

Jesus is the Beginning (the Alpha---first letter of the Greek alphabet) of everything that is and also the End (the Omega---the last letter of the Greek alphabet) of all. These are the two letters that will be carved into the Paschal Candle that is used for our Easter Season and for the Sacrament of Baptism and at the Mass of Christian Burial. 

Our Baptism marks the Beginning of our journey with Jesus and our Mass of Christian Burial celebrates the End of our earthly pilgrimage and the New Beginning of our heavenly journey.

In our reading from the Gospel of John we have the encounter of Jesus with the Roman governor Pilate. Jesus is questioned about His Kingship. 

He does not back down from the title of King. He says that He was born for this and He came into the world for this.

For Jesus to be a King is to be a person who is a witness to the truth. He tells us that those people who embrace the truth will listen to His message.

It is a different way for us to think about a King. Usually we reflect on the power of a King, the wealth of a King, and the glamor associated with the King and the King's Court.

Jesus is talking about a King who comes for all and who shares a message that is based on the truth. Pilate seems baffled by this type of King.

This King challenges us also. He asks us to search for the truth.

We find the truth by listening to the message of Jesus. It is a message that calls us to rejoice in His coming and to restore hope to all!

1. How do you relate to the Kingship of Jesus?

2. What does it mean for you to be a witness to the truth?

3. Which truths are the most important for you?

4. What do you feel when you meditate on Kathy's photo?

(scripture adapted, reflection, and questions by John J. McNamara)

Gather

The Spiritual Waiting Room

 

Gather

All     Elect

Be     Awake     Coming

Know He Is Near

Fulfillment

(photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:   Mark 13:24 to 32

Jesus said to His disciples:

"In those days after the distress the sun will grow dark, and there will be no light coming from the moon, the stars will crash down from the sky, and the heavenly powers will be moved.

"And then everyone will notice 'the Son of Man coming in the clouds' with mighty strength and triumph, and then He will direct the angels and gather His chosen from the four winds, from the end of the earth to the end of the heavens.

"Learn a truth from the fig tree. When its branch becomes soft and leaves start to appear, you realize that summer is coming soon. Likewise when you notice these signs appearing, realize that He is close, at the gates. Amen, I say to you, this generation will not end until all these signs have come to be. Heaven and earth can disappear, but my words will last forever.

"However about that day and that hour, no one is sure, not the angels in heaven, not the Son, but the Father alone."

Reflection

During this time of the Liturgical Year, we reflect on the end times: when will they come and what will they be like.

This is not a topic that we like to ponder. It can be scary for us.

Jesus guides us through this difficult topic in our passage from Mark. The imagery is called apocalyptic and it is a type of literature that we find in the Hebrew scriptures as well.

We could compare it to science fiction---speculation about the future and what we might encounter.

Jesus speaks about how everything in our physical universe will be transformed and shaken. 

In the midst of all the confusion that Jesus portrays, the Son of Man (the title that the scriptures use to refer to the Messiah) will come back in an awesome way.

His purpose in coming back is to "gather". He comes to bring us together, to unify us, to embrace us.

It is an image of consolation and hope. In our age the common complaint is that we are too divided: we are divided politically, socially, and even religiously. 

We long for unity. We want to be joined with others in community. We feel upset when others walk away from us and get angry with us.

We all want to know when this will happen. We would love to know the exact day and hour so we can be fully prepared.

Jesus gives us the example of the fig tree. We know when summer is approaching by watching the branches. 

We can easily miss this sign if we are too busy and preoccupied. Jesus is encouraging us to keep our eyes open.

The best way to prepare for the Final Gathering is to work each day on gathering. Jesus is near. He is with us. We can find Him in each person we meet if we keep our eyes open.

The words of Jesus, His teachings, His example will never pass away. If we follow them, we will be gathering people each day by looking for ways to overcome those divisions that trouble us.

The fig tree in Kathy's photo is in full bloom. We are invited to bloom also by listening to the words of Jesus and trying to live them by uniting people together through our loving actions.

Enjoy your gathering!

1. What do you think of when you reflect on the end times?

2. How can you gather people together?

3. What is the best way for you to prepare for the end times?  

Treasury

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Treasury

Heartfelt     Generosity

Offering     Self-Surrendering    Sacrificing

Contributed All She Had

Stewardship

(photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:   Mark 12: 41 to 44

Jesus sat down opposite the treasury and watched how the people placed their money into the treasury. Many wealthy people approached and put in large sums.

A poor widow also came up and she put in just two small coins worth a few cents.

Jesus called his disciples over and said to them, "Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all those others who contributed to the treasury.

They have all given from their excess wealth.

She has given from her poverty all that she has, her whole livelihood."

Reflection

In this scene from Mark Jesus is sitting down near the treasury. This would have usually been where valuables were stored but the reference here is probably to 13 trumpet-shaped chests for offerings that were arranged around the walls of the women's court.

Jesus is observing those who come with offerings and notices a widow who humbly approaches and gives all that she has.

She holds nothing back. 

Amazing!

This unnamed woman has become a role model for all of us. When most of us give, we hold back enough for our own needs.

This woman takes a different path. She displays a total trust in God to provide for her needs. 

In doing this she becomes a treasury for us---a treasury of inspiration.

We admire her goodness and her devotion to God. She knows that God is in charge and God will take care of her.

She realizes that God does not hold back anything from us. God wants only to bless us.

In those situations where it looks like our resources will run out, we are called to trust in the providence of God.

That providence works through the generosity and stewardship of all of us. 

We know, for example, that there is enough food in the world to feed everyone but we also know that some people do not have enough to eat.

We are all called to do our part to make sure that food is not wasted and that it is shared with all. 

This widow whom Jesus praises shows us what sacrifice can accomplish. She is calling us to do more, to give more, and to be more.

Kathy's photo illustrates one response to this call. Many neighborhoods have come together to put up Blessing Boxes. 

People go to them and take what they need for their families and other families share what they have to keep the Blessing Boxes full.

These simple acts of caring can make a huge difference in the lives of those in need. 

This widow shows us the way!

1. Why is it so hard for us to completely trust in the providence of God?

2. What is your reaction to the example of this widow?

3. How do you feel about the Blessing Boxes?