A common image of Jesus is ‘Wonder Counselor.’ These days after Christmas I have reflected upon this title. While Jesus brings peace to our journey, He also gives us Wisdom, doesn’t he? Continue Reading

“And He Shall Be Called Prince of Peace”

It doesn’t take us long to figure out our world is not at peace. We can’t rest until the homeless are housed, the sick are healed, the hungry are fed, the naked are clothed, and the evil are holy. We can’t rest until the swords are transformed into ploughshares, the blind are transformed by sight, the lions are transformed into lambs and the imprisoned are transformed by freedom.  We can’t rest until the Middle East knows peace, until Africa is fed, until China values human rights, until North Korea & Iran attend to their starving rather than their bombs and Iraq and Afghanistan are empty of our soldiers. Continue Reading

Behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus…” Matt. 1:20- 21a

During the Christmas season, consider Joseph. After the birth of the child Jesus, can you imagine Joseph working with wood while his mind wanders to the baby and his duty of helping him grow into a responsible young man? Maybe he even dreaded the difficulties of rearing a child in such a troubled world where there was political turmoil, economic inequality, and violence. Isn’t that the fear and concern of parents who are raising children today? What did Joseph think the angel meant by saying that “he will save his people from their sins”? What does that mean to you? Continue Reading

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“Everyone can love Jesus, the new baby lying in his crib …

as long as he is not God.”*

But Jesus who is God is too demanding. Continue Reading

Don’t you wonder how Mary and Joseph related to each other during their government ordered, dusty and tiring journey to Bethlehem?  Joseph was walking, a very pregnant Mary riding a donkey.  Was there any hospitality along the way?  Were innkeepers who turned them away rude?  Were they so deeply aware of the mystery they were living with that their awe, peace and deep joy carried them in wonder at God’s ways?

We believe Emmanuel, “God is with us.”  No matter the tiredness or hecticness of these final preparation days, may we be carried in wonder by the mystery we  prepare to celebrate!

Listen attentively this week to the sounds of Christmas: hymns and carols, old and new, meditative and exuberant do fill the air!  Which melodies or words touch you and keep running through your mind?  Which speak to your heart especially this year? Continue Reading

During the season of Advent we focus on the coming of Christ.  The four Sundays move from looking forward to the Second Coming of Christ at the end of time when the Reign of God is fully established, to the coming of Christ in our midst proclaimed by John the Baptist.  This fourth Sunday we focus on the coming of Christ in human flesh.  We celebrate the birth of a Savior foretold by the prophets, Jesus Christ, Prince of Peace. Continue Reading

“I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me….’ (Gal 2:20)

This simple message from Galatians can fill a long prayer experience!!  I used it for prayer a couple of days ago and it still enriches my prayer – especially as we approach the final week of Advent. It helps me see that Christmas is more than just renewal (as important as that is). Christmas is also about re-centering. Continue Reading