Christmastime Is Here!

'Tis the season of Christmas in the Roman Catholic church now.  Merry Christmas!  From yesterday until January 9th the Christmas decorations will grace the church and the priests' vestments will be white or gold- the colors of celebration- with occasional forays into red for martyrs' feast days such as today, the feast of St. Stephen, the Church's first martyr (read all about it in Acts 6:8 through Acts 7:60 ) and December 28th the Feast of the Holy Innocents.
So while in the secular world Christmas is over and done with, in the world of the Church- it's just beginning!

Explicit Instructions

One of my favorite Bible passages is 1Thessalonians 5.  This past Sunday we heard 1Thes5: 16-24, but if you read the entire chapter you get explicit instructions for how to conduct yourself as a Christian.  Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks, cheer the fainthearted, support the weak, be patient with all, we hear these instructions Sunday after Sunday.  If we take these things to heart the world would be a much better place.  While you're circling the mall parking lot- pray without ceasing, be patient with all.  While you're waiting in line at the checkout counter- give thanks, cheer the fainthearted.  You'll feel better and you'll help those around you feel better.  It's so easy to get grumpy and impatient during the holiday rush, but try to make 1Thes 5 your plan of action and I think you'll find that your days are merrier and brighter!

'Tis Better to Give...

The second Sunday in Advent already?? Where does the time go?  Because of the economy I have to cut back my gift giving this year. I'm proposing that we all try to focus more on the "What did you DO for others this Christmas," and not, "What did you give to others/get from others this Christmas."  I'm sure I'm not the only one caught up in the holiday rush, but perhaps we could put most of our energy into doing something nice instead of purchasing something nice. Does someone need a ride somewhere, an errand done, something cleaned or fixed, children watched for an hour or two, a dog walked, a car washed, a cupboard organized,some laundry washed and folded?  It doesn't have to be expensive or huge.  Donating llamas (Project Heifer) or toys (Toys for Tots) or turkeys (Food drives) are all important and needed, but if your wallet has moths instead of money in it, then a kind deed paired with a prayer for the recipient (in the spirit of Holy Orders) would still makes someone's holiday bright!

Happy New Liturgical Year!

Yes, the First Sunday in Advent marked the beginning of the Church's new liturgical year.  Happy Cycle B readings!!! Yay!!!  With the new year came the new changes to the Mass, and I'm sorry to confess that I flubbed up through the entire Mass.  Oh well, I'm sure I'll have it down pat in thirty odd years or so!

Servant Song

In light of yesterday's Gospel, Matthew 25: 14-30, the Parable of the Talents, doesn't it seem to be a great time to  ask us to consider volunteering at our church or in the larger community?  Believe me, I like nothing better than to have an opportunity to go to Mass with no greater care in the world than, "Is the priest's Homily going to be interesting and will I catch a cold from the Sign of Peace?"  I was able to do that when we lived in San Diego for a couple years and it was terrific, but now that my husband and I are back home in San Jose where we are active volunteers, I have to say that I feel much more a part of this church family and less of a guest.  I can say from experience that it doesn't take a lot of talent to be a Eucharistic Minister, but it does call me to be more involved in the Mass.  Lector, usher, choir member, altar server, teacher's assistant for Catechism classes, sponsor for RCIA, there are lots of jobs in and around the church that you, yes you, can do.  Volunteering can bring a deeper sense of meaning and involvement to the Sunday Mass and might even reveal some hidden talents !

Times They Are a Changin'

I attended an informational meeting after Sunday Mass about the changes we will soon encounter in the Mass when we adopt the Roman Missal on the First Sunday of Advent.   Change is difficult for many people, and there was much griscorning (a kind of Gaelic word for griping- I doubt I spelled it correctly!) and gnashing of teeth.  Why did we have to change the Mass?  What did this all mean?  Why couldn't we have the bells at consecration any more?
Our religion is based on the greatest change agent in history, Jesus Christ.  What were the readings about this past Sunday?  Hey everyone!  Be ready, don't fall asleep at your post or get complacent.  Keep on your toes!
I'm not saying that the Mass changes are the "oil in the lamp" for us, but we do have to admit that things are never going to stay the same.  The Church will keep changing, and we need to roll with it.  I've been a Catholic for 52 years and have witnessed numerous changes in the Mass.  Some changes I like, some I'm not so crazy about, but out of obedience (and it's not blind obedience, believe me!) I change.  If I rebel and do what I deign are the 'right' words/ postures/ gestures at Mass (and who am I  to decide that, really?), then I am saying I don't want to be a part of the Church community.  We are called to worship Mass in community, not alone.  If our Pope and bishops ask us to adopt certain changes in the Mass- as long as those changes don't cause us to sin, which they haven't so far- then we should accommodate those changes.  Think of it as an exercise in obedience, but do go to the USCCB website and educate yourself on the whys and wherefores of the Mass changes.

Ghoulies and Ghosties

Since today is Hallowe'en I thought it would be a perfect time for me to throw out my theories about what happens to us after we die.  The Catholic church does not endorse what I am about to write, and I will admit that some of my theories come from watching John Edwards (the medium, not the candidate!) and the Long Island Medium on TLC. (and this gives you a chance to skip today's blog if either of those people or the possibility of ghosts makes you snort in derision--move on to your next blogger and I'll see you next Monday!)
So take this all with a grain of salt.  If I am so off the mark that I am being heretical, please inform me, but I don't think my theories (and they are just theories- we won't know until we die what truly happens!) are all that bad.
My first theory is that we have a choice after we die when we stand before the face of God to either say to God, "Thank You for accepting me into Heaven by Your grace and love. Your love is immense and You are a forgiving God,"  OR,
"God, You don't know what an unworthy being I am.  You say I'm welcome in Heaven, but I've done so many bad things that I couldn't possibly be worthy of Your love.  I'm choosing to separate myself from You and decline Your invitation to be with You always."
I know it seems silly, but I think some of us would truly decline God's invitation to Heaven.  To paraphrase Scott Peck in May I Have This Dance?: God is like the lover who says, "Come to bed, I love you," and we say, "I can't, I'm too fat, I'm too ugly."  Still God says, "I don't think you're too fat or ugly, I think you're beautiful. Come to bed," and still we say, "No."
Who knows better? Could we possibly know better than God if we are worthy or not? Aren't we letting pride get in the way when we think we can tell God that we're less worthy than He thinks we are?
This leads to my second theory that ghosts are people who have died and have separated themselves from God.  Since I also think that Hell is being separated from God for all eternity- I think ghosts are in Hell.  It's a leap, I know, but if someone accepted God's invitation to be with Him in Heaven when they died, why would they be wandering the Earth floating after earthly pursuits?  The ghostly state doesn't have to be eternal, many a ghost has eventually gone towards the light.  I like to think that God in His infinite love and wisdom eternally gives us a chance to be with Him, it's just that some of us are just too stubborn to ever take Him up on it.
So today, have fun with the ghoulies and ghosties and long leggedy beasties, but don't forget to stop a moment to thank God for seeing you as a beautiful being who is worthy to spend eternity with Him.
That's a Treat!