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Reflections for Dec. 17-23, 2018
Monday, December 17, 2018- The Reason
We’re into our third week of Advent: such an exciting and beautiful season of the Church. Yesterday the third candle on the Advent wreath was lit. The rose color represents the heightened anticipation we feel at the coming of the Christ child. We’re now half way through the time of preparation for this great feast.
At Mass today we hear Matthew give the Jews proof that Jesus is indeed the promised Messiah by reading his genealogy through forty-two generations. In modern language we read, “Abraham became the father of Isaac,” and so on. As children we called this reading “The Begats,” which was written as “Abraham begat Isaac . . .” I’m sure you remember.
The songs we sing during this season also reflect our excitement in preparing for Jesus both in the historical sense of His birth, and also in our expectation of the Second Coming. “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” reminds us that the prophet Isaiah foretold, “. . . the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel,” which means “God with us.”
This is an especially important time for me to remember the reason that I’m shopping, wrapping gifts, baking cookies, sending cards, attending parties ~ in other words, going a little crazy! I want to pause each day to thank Jesus for coming to us, for giving us the gift of Himself, for giving us a reason to hope.
Barbara Stricklin
Tuesday, December 18, 2018-Childlike Simplicity
Today our gospel reading tells the story of the beginning of Jesus’s life. “This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about,” says Matthew. As we learned on The Feast of the Immaculate Conception, an angel appeared to Mary to announce that she would have a child. For Mary to conceive a child before she lived with her husband, her public punishment might well have been stoning. We read that Joseph received a similar visitation. Both of these faith-filled people accepted God’s plan for them and acted to accomplish it.
In our own homes we can prepare symbolically for Christ’s coming by setting up a creche or manger scene. It was always a joyful time for our children to carefully unwrap each figure and to decide exactly where it should rest in the scene. While your family might wait until Christmas Eve to place the Baby Jesus in his cradle, our children liked to have Him visible so they could see Him every day. Often, we would sing “Away in a Manger,” a song whose simple melody and words were easy for even the youngest child to sing.
It is this childlike simplicity and innocence that we adults are so in need of. Our frantic world doesn’t allow us to strip away our adult cares to become childlike, but this simple song can remind us that we, too, can enjoy a quiet respite from worldly concerns.
Barbara Stricklin
Wednesday, December 19, 2018-It’s Good for You
Today the Psalmist tells us, “My mouth shall be filled with your praise, and I will sing your glory!” Do you sing aloud? In church? With friends? Alone? Singing is good for us, even if we’re not gifted with great musical ability. (Of course, if you have NO musical ability, singing might not be so good for those around you. . . but I digress.)
Science tells us that singing is actually GOOD FOR US! First, it strengthens our immune system by producing proteins that act as antibodies. It works our lungs, gives us a stronger diaphragm, better circulation, and even better posture. It’s a natural anti-depressant, lowers stress levels, and can improve mental alertness. It can widen your circle of friends and boost your confidence.
WELL! Isn’t this the perfect time of year for all of us to reap those benefits? Christmas music of all kinds from “The First Noel” to “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” gives us a chance to use the gifts God has given us to belt out a tune or to learn to lip-sync out of consideration for others.
Seriously, though, I hardly ever remember to thank God for the voice that I use to communicate with others; for ears (with hearing aids) that let me receive the words of others, the sounds of birds, the wind, animals, the voices of my husband, our children and grandchildren. How about you?
Barbara Stricklin
Thursday, December 20, 2018-St. Nick
Just five days until Christmas! One of the most popular saints in Christendom is Nicholas, the Greek bishop of Myra. He was widely known for his charity to the poor which gave rise to the modern tradition of stuffing a boot or stocking with gifts. The modern name “Santa Claus” comes from the Dutch form of his name, “Sinterklaas.” He is the patron saint of sailors, merchants (I kid you not!) and children.
Of course, you may have already taken your children and/or grandchildren to see Santa Claus, to sit on his lap, and to have their pictures taken. When our eldest child was four years old, we stood in line at the mall with the other families to follow the ritual. When we were close to the front of the line, our son cried, “I don’t want to! I don’t want to!” so, of course we took him out of the line. As we began walking away, he began to wail in his loudest voice, “WHY, WHY, WHY won’t you let me see Santa Claus?” We knew a thousand eyes were on us – the Scrooges of the Year – and we got into the line again.
The larger lesson of the day, of course, is that of caring for others, most especially the poor, as Jesus taught us to do again and again. We’ve had many opportunities to be charitable with our time and money throughout the year, but particularly during the days leading up the coming of the Christ Child. “The Lord hears the cry of the poor.”
Barbara Stricklin
December 21, 2018-Seeing God
“When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb.” The two cousins had both conceived children through God’s divine intervention. Both children would work to bring God’s people to new life, John through preaching and baptizing, and Jesus through preaching, miracles, and His sacrifice on the cross. My imagination tells me that Elizabeth must have raised John to know about his very special cousin, Jesus, so that when they met as adults, each would know what was to take place between them.
Thus, John came out of the desert dressed in wild animal skins and began baptizing people in the Jordan. Along came Jesus with His disciples and allowed himself to be baptized by His cousin. Then a voice came out of the clouds saying, “This is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased.” What an affirmation!
I have not heard a heavenly voice so that I could recognize the God within another person, but it’s my task ~ my serious obligation ~ to see God in the people I meet and with whom I interact. That recognition has to penetrate my preconceived notions, my prejudices, and my ignorance. I need to sing the prayer, “Open my eyes, Lord; Help me to see Your face. Open my ears, Lord. Help me to hear Your voice. Open my heart, Lord. Help me to love like You.”
Barbara Stricklin
December 22, 2018-Holy is His Name
The gospel today is Luke 1: 46-56. Please sing John Michael Talbot’s beautiful hymn “Holy Is His Name,” (Breaking Bread #697) and you will have proclaimed the gospel for today.
“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, and my spirit exults in God my Savior.
For he has looked with mercy on my lowliness, and my name will be forever exalted.
For the mighty God has done great things for me, and his mercy will reach from age to age. And holy, holy, holy is his name.
He has mercy in every generation. He has revealed his power and his glory.
He has cast down the mighty in their arrogance, and has lifted the meek and the lowly.
He has come to help his servant Israel; he remembers his promise to our fathers.
And holy, holy, holy is his name.”
We’ve all heard that “singing is praying twice,” and there is no more beautiful example of it than this song of praise. At SS. Peter and Paul, we usually respond in song to the cantor who sings the Psalm of the day. Although we no longer hear chanting in most of our Catholic churches, it has been a time-honored form of sung praise. Another example is when the words of the liturgy are sung by the celebrant. Music is truly a gift from God. I can’t imagine a world without music. Thank you, thank you, Lord.
Barbara Stricklin
December 23, 2018-None too Small
The first reading today is from the fifth chapter of Micah: “But you, Bethlehem-Ephrathah, too small to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel.”
I am struck by how often God challenges our human experience and expectations: again and again He shows us that something great can emerge from some thing or some place that is small and insignificant. A tiny infant, born in a tiny place and in a lowly stable would rule through eternity.
Jesus himself gave us examples of smallness becoming greatness: the tiny mustard seed becomes the tallest of plants in whose branches birds can perch. In Matthew He tells us that we must become like little children in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
These examples show me that there is hope for everyone to enter into God’s Kingdom; no one is too small nor unimportant to live there. In addition, God does not measure my worth in worldly terms: not in money, possessions, prestige, honors, acclaim, or beauty. Jesus tells us, “’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Truly, there is promise within all of us. I want to celebrate Christmas with this great hope in mind. Have a blessed Christmas!
Barbara Stricklin
Reflections for Dec. 10-16 , 2018
Monday, Dec. 10, 2018-Sound
I have been an avid reader since I was a young child, pouring through books as quickly as I could. I was the child who sat up late with a light on because I couldn’t put down my book. At Mass, I am a person who always read from the missal, following along on the written page, not always comfortable with just listening. However a few years ago I discovered podcasts, and then audiobooks and I feel like I’ve discovered a new world of storytelling.
When we trust the story to be told through the voice of another, we hear it in the voice they speak. We hear the translation that they tell. The earliest stories of our faith were not written down—it was through oral tradition that our history and our beliefs were communicated. With the removal of the missals from the pews, I am challenged to hear our faith in the way that it was originally communicated—through the spoken word, told and retold until the stories are written permanently in my heart.
Lord, help me to hear your Word through the holy Scripture and through the voices of others.
Erin Gallawa
Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018-Sight
On the Feast of Christ the King my daughter Grace looked at the altar and exclaimed, “It is white! How did that happen?” I looked where she was pointing to the altar cloths and altar décor which had switched from the green of Ordinary Time to the white of the feast day. She was in awe that the cloth had changed color, unaware of the wonderful church crew who diligently turn over the altar for each new season. She giggled when I mentioned these “church elves” who turned green cloth to white! With Advent the church is now adorned simply in purple, the color of royalty and the color of penance.
The adornment of the church may seem an insignificant thing, but indeed it is integral to the celebration of our faith. The colors, the flowers and other adornment can guide our worship. The colors are a visual marking of the changing of seasons and the decoration itself can be suggestive of how we should prepare the season—in quiet, simple prayer or joyous celebration.
Lord, help me to see the changes in our Church and on our Earth that guide me to a deeper life of prayer.
Erin Gallawa
Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2018-Touch
When we visited my grandfather in the months before his death, he spoke very little. We spent a lot of time sitting with him in the garden, simply holding his hand. I have wonderful memories just holding him, enjoying the connection that comes from human touch.
Several of our Sacraments include the laying on of hands. Through touch there is a conferring of the spirit and power. But the laying on of hands is not limited to the Sacraments. In our regular lives we find that there is great power in touch. When I embrace my daughters in my arms, when I hug my friends, and when I shake hands at the sign of peace during mass, I am giving of myself to others. When I held the hands of my aging papa, I was communicating my love, my passion and my power to him. When we touch one another in the name of Christ, we are wishing them the deepest peace and offering our love.
Lord, may my hands bring the touch of peace and love to those around me.
Erin Gallawa
Thursday, Dec. 13, 2018-Taste
Oh, there is something magical about a crunchy loaf of bread with a soft inside. When I lived in Spain there was fresh bread with every meal. Leftover bread didn’t exist—only fresh, crusty loaves served at breakfast, lunch and dinner. It sat in a basket at the center of the table for all to share. The bread wasn’t just a side dish, it was a part of the meal, used as a utensil to carry food to the mouth or to soak up all the flavor left on the plate.
We call Jesus the Bread of Life. When we receive Christ in the form of unleavened bread, do we make him the bread that nourishes us and soaks up all that is worthy in this world? We are called to make him and the Eucharist the center of our celebration, not just a side dish of the Mass.
Lord, help me to be nourished at your table and to taste the goodness of your offering.
Erin Gallawa
Friday, Dec. 14, 2018-Smell
For me, the sense of smell is distinct from the other senses. It has a power to transport us to other times—other places—just through one deep breath. There are many smells that bring me home: the smell of tamales steaming, eucalyptus when I arrive at my grandma’s house in the Bay Area, fresh cut Christmas trees next to a fire. The church buildings also seem to have a smell of their own. Maybe it is the incense? Whatever it is, there is something about the smell in a church building that stirs familiarity in me. I am connected to the churches across the world that I have worshipped in—in Spain, in France, in Mexico and Italy. The smell of incense and old churches brings me home to my faith no matter what building I am in. It is a reminder that our faith is global, despite differences in language and culture. The smell of the church brings me home.
Lord, may we find peace when we inhale the fragrances of your world.
Erin Gallawa
Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018-The Sixth Sense
There is a so-called “sixth sense” which has been described as intuition, extrasensory perception or even the ability to communicate with the unseen world—a sense that is “supernatural” or otherworldly. For me, there is nothing strange about this sixth sense. This sixth sense is the presence of God in my life. It is when God reaches me through more than just the five senses we are used to. It is when I hear His voice not in my ears, but in my heart.
The sixth sense is the one that we often choose to ignore. We can easily tune out sound, walk away from smells, turn away from things we do not wish to see, avoid touch and taste. But when God chooses to speak to us, there is no turning away. No matter where we turn, there is God reminding us that God’s will is here and now. We cannot ignore Him.
Lord, help me to open my heart and all my senses to hear what you are saying to me.
Erin Gallawa
Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018-Mass of Senses
One of the things I love most about the mass is the predictability of it all. In baptism, in marriage, in death; in celebration of the resurrection and in the preparation of the Lord’s birth, the celebration of the mass remains the same.
There is peace in ritual and tradition. The sights, sounds, smells, tastes and touches are familiar and bring us a sense of belonging. It connects us to all the believers who worshipped before and all those who will come after. In the celebration of the mass we are grounded by our senses as we experience words, songs, prayers, Eucharistic celebration and other rituals that form our worship.
There are few moments in life that incorporate all the senses into one experience—the mass is one such time. We hear the Word, we taste Christ in the Eucharist, we smell the offering of incense and wine, we see the transformation of the altar to reflect the season and we touch one another in the offering of our hands at the Sign of Peace. And finally we open ourselves to God’s presence in our lives.
Lord, help me to open my senses so that I can experience all that worship has to offer.
Erin Gallawa