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Reflections for Dec. 9-15, 2019
December 9, 2019
Happy New Year
Sometimes people of advancing age say things like…”this year sure has gone by fast” but it’s actually true. Sunday, December 1,we started the new Church year with the first Sunday of Advent and are going headlong into the preparations for Christmas and then the year of Our Lord 2020. This is certainly not news to you but each year it seems I have more to do, more to think about and more to pay attention to concerning what Christmas has meant to me in past years and what it means presently. I remember in the days before I was a Catholic, or even a believer, when it was all about what I wanted to be gifted with and I made sure, repeatedly, that my parents were aware that it was time for a 26 inch bike (age 12) and how I simply had to have a .22 caliber rifle for target practice (age14) and so on. From the Christmas eve of 1960 when I was baptized into the Catholic Church I began, repeat: began, to under- stand the true meaning of Christmas. My brother in law had a bumper sticker reading “Keep Christ in Christmas” and, as simple as that was, it began to make sense to me as it hadn’t up to that time. Over the sixty years I have been a Catholic (I’m a slow learner) I’ve learned the truth of that bumper sticker and have embraced it. Christ is the gift that I’ve been searching for all these years, the one I really need and I’ve realized that I receive that precious gift every year, indeed every day. I wish that same gift for you.
Deacon David
December 10, 2019
Our church family
It used to be that just about every Thanksgiving and Christmas was celebrated at our house where the children and relatives would all gather for eating, playing games, conversing and, wonder of wonders, not arguing about anything, just having a good time. The gathering places have changed since all the “kids” have gone on to have their own families and in-laws so Jane and I take just an occasional turn. Christmas will be spent in Ventura on the central coast with our daughters so we won’t be around to welcome our Lord in Rocklin but, BUT, our hearts will be with you as we join another Catholic community celebrating His birth. What is important to me at this time of year is to remember that the people in Ventura may think of me as an “occasional” Catholic since they seldom see, me just as I am somewhat prone to think that way about the folks who show up here just at Christmas. I realize that I do them a disservice as they are following their hearts to worship with us as they see fit. In other words it is not for me to judge them but to look upon them as gifting us, the community of SSPP, with their presence. They will be part of my prayerful preparation for celebrating Christ’s birth.
Deacon David
December 11, 2019
How we pray
About six weeks ago Jane and I travelled a bit down 99 to my cousin’s home in Porterville for a “Cousins reunion”. My cousin and her husband practice the Molokan (Old Believer’s) religion brought over from Russia by our refugee grandparents. Another cousin and her husband attending are members of a Pentecostal Christian denomination. We all shared several meals over two and a half days and my host cousin insisted upon prayers before each meal. At the first one we all attended she asked me to say grace and I started, while seated, but Lucille broke in and said “…we stand to pray in this house.” So we stood and I prayed a Catholic free form prayer after which she thanked me for saying grace. At another meal my Pentecostal cousin in law prayed praising just about everyone and took a bit of time doing so. At our final meal together Lucille’s husband prayed and did so in the Russian language, which most of us couldn’t understand. He was fervent and I recognized the Russian word for God several times. All of our prayers were said reverently and conveyed our thanks for all we’ve been given. Ruminating now about our prayers leads me to an appreciation for the variety of God given gifts distributed amongst all His children. Despite our differences in prayer we each expressed our common gratitude to the same God. Would that we could not only have a cousins reunion but reunite with all our brothers and sisters, all children of the one God.
Deacon David
December 12, 2019 “God is a warm hug.”
In a recent New York Times edition almost an entire section was given over to an in depth interview with actor Tom Hanks. Since I’ve enjoyed his work in several movies (Forest Gump, Sleepless in Seattle) I read through and found a small but significant section on how he thinks back, and presently, about raising his four children. Quoting from the article are some of his words: “Somewhere along the line, I figured out, the only thing really, I think, eventually a parent can do is say I love you, there’s nothing you can do wrong, you cannot hurt my feelings, I hope you will forgive me on occasion, and what do you need me to do? You offer up that to them. I will do anything I can possibly do in order to keep you safe. That’s it. Offer that up and then you just love them.” In those few words, I think, Tom puts into words what I think God does with us, His children all. The article writer made the heading of the article “Tom Hanks is a warm hug”. Well, that’s God, to his billions of children: a warm hug. Can I admit that God says, always: I love you, I forgive you, forgive me, I will do anything to protect you? Then I fall into His warm embrace/hug. Oh, that feels good. Deacon David
December 13, 2019 Here I am, Lord, I come to do your will
Those words are found in today’s optional daily mass as the Psalm response (Ps 40). Sometimes, I admit, I just sort of say the words of the response without thinking about them and their meaning. Something about these words made me stop and think. I went to my bible and read all of Psalm 40 and all of its words confirmed the Tom Hanks’ thoughts I wrote about yesterday. The Psalmist rejoices in God’s love with praise, trust and a proclamation of that love. So, I will try to repeat, no live, the title words of this reflection: Here I am Lord, I come to do your will. Those words, maybe especially during this Advent, are significant to what a I must focus on, to do His will. It is, I think, up to each of us to discern what we believe to be God’s will for us today and for each succeeding day of our life. Some will concentrate on personally serving the needs of the homeless, hungry and alone. Others will send donations to one or more of the many organizations responding to, again, the hungry, homeless, or needy in one or more ways. Some will work with immigrants and other marginalized folk. Each of us acts in the way we see fit according to our abilities and means and all, ALL, of those respond to the above words “…your will.” Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. Deacon David
December 14, 2019 Growing beyond….
I’ve opined in past reflections about how I believe what wise couples have said about how to make their relationships secure and endure, and that is to never go to bed angry. To always say, if needed, “I’m sorry”, no matter if I think I am not at fault. Love requires me, one of God’s children, to make peace with another of His children. I know of many loving couples who follow this way of overcoming hurt feelings and being humble enough to give up about who was “wrong”.
In the 1940’s multiple wrongs were committed by two nations in particular. War ensued. Japanese-American citizens were considered suspect and shipped off to concentration camps. History has shown the wrongheadedness of that but, despite that, I have personally seen forgiveness by returned detainees. I know it is difficult for victims to forgive as I have seen and worked with victims of crime but I also have witnessed forgiveness and how both parties have experienced healing. On this past week’s 12/7 anniversary we may be reminded of that “…day of infamy” but I am also reminded of the healing power of forgiveness. We are a nation of immigrants, a mélange of God created genetic differences, who rely upon God’s forgiveness on our journey towards Him. Today let us humbly say “I’m sorry” to someone we (may have) offended. And let us embrace and forgive those who have offended us. God does.
Deacon David
December 15, 2019 Only 9 shopping days left until…
I can’t go on my annual curmudgeonly rant about Christmas shopping because we, Jane and I, got our shopping done this past July. Believe that? Well, we took all of the family who were available to go to Tuscany, Italy in July and told them that that was to be their Christmas gift not only for 2019 but also for 2020. I would’ve liked to stretch it out a bit longer but will settle for the two years. All that goes to say that I am now free to focus my Advent towards actual preparation for the celebration of our Lord, Jesus coming into the world. Others have reflected on this time of year; the darkness, the cold, the waiting and anticipation but one, Sister Joan C., says that “alleluia” is appropriate for us this time of year and not just at Easter. Alleluia is “a call to reflection” and not only at special times of year, but all year. We celebrate Jesus’ birth each year but cannot limit the gift he gives us to 12/25. I need to remember, to reflect, on how the alleluia goes on year round each time I am able to receive Him in the Eucharist, again, His gift to me, to us. So, for the final time this year, I’ll say Thank You to all of my SSP&P family with a great big ALLELUIA.
Deacon David
Monday, Dec. 2, 2019-Holy Darkness
We are now in the season of Advent. At this time of the year we are encouraged to prepare for Christmas. The world around us tells us to fill our days with shopping, baking, special events, gift wrapping, Hallmark Christmas movies, and Christmas carols. There is pressure to do more with less time.
Yet if we look at nature (in the Northern hemisphere), the daylight hours are shorter and we are plunged into darkness. Animals hibernate, food is scarcer, and some animals migrate. There appears to be a sense of quieting down and doing LESS, not more.
Our Church invites us to take these weeks as a time for quiet reflection, perhaps to consider how Christ might be born in our own lives. What preparations do we need to make? What needs to “slow down” to make room for the Savior?
Lord, may we find you in the holy darkness of Advent.
Darcy Wharton
Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2019-Lessons from a Spider
In the midst of an afternoon of cleaning, I glanced out my window to see a spider dangling right in front of me. My first thought was wondering how it got there since there were no plants or trees in the near vicinity. It also looked like it was suspended in the air. I couldn’t see a thread or a web anywhere, and yet I had been taught that there HAD to be one! Since it was outside, I wasn’t concerned about disturbing it, so I watched in fascination as it traveled up and down the “invisible” thread a few times.
I realized that it can sometimes be difficult to believe in things we cannot see. At times like that, we rely on what others have told us, what we have studied, or on our own past experiences. It is the same way with faith. At times of doubt, it is helpful to remember the Nicene creed we say each week, which states that God is the creator of all things “visible” and “invisible”.
Clearly we don’t have to see it to believe it!
Darcy Wharton
Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019-Listen with your Eyes
There’s a story about a little boy who was urgently trying to get his mother’s attention. After several attempts, he said, “Mama- listen to me”. His mother (engrossed with her cellphone) replied, “I am listening to you!” He said, “Mama- can you please listen with your eyes?”
In this world of cellphones and other distractions, I admit there are times that I have listened to others half-heartedly. There have also been times when things have distracted me during Mass or other prayer times. Like the little boy, I can almost hear God saying, “Could you please listen to me with your eyes?”
What would it take today for me to be fully present to the people God has placed in my path? Perhaps the biggest gift I can give today is to listen with my eyes.
Darcy Wharton
Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019-We will Keep the Light on for You
Do you remember the Motel 6 commercial featuring Tom Bodett? He would always say, “We’ll leave the light on for you”. There are many times I’ve said the same thing to my children or husband if they were coming home late. It can be a welcoming sight to see a light on in a dark house. In the past, people would leave a candle in the window as a sign of good news or to welcome weary travelers.
Every time we walk into church, we can see the sanctuary light placed near the tabernacle. It is a reminder that Christ is present in the Eucharist. During the day, one can barely see the glowing light of the candle. However, if you have an opportunity to walk in the church at night, the light cannot be missed!
Even at Church, we keep the light on for you! May it be a welcome sight for all.
Darcy Wharton
Friday, Dec. 6, 2019-37 minutes
I stumbled across a Pillsbury commercial the other day and the commentator said we spend 37 minutes of quality time with our families each day and that we should make the most of it. (Of course, they were hoping we would spend the time eating biscuits sitting around the dining room table!) This got me thinking about how I have spent my limited quality time. When our children were little, we made a point of having dinner together most evenings. Occasionally we did other things like vacation together or have a game night. Those moments are precious memories and they helped us form a firm foundation as a family.
I wonder how much quality time the average person spends with God each day? Do we just squeeze in a few minutes or carve out chunks of significant time?
Lord, help me spend quality time with you today and through this entire season of Advent.
Darcy Wharton
Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019-Science
I live with a scientist. I raised three women who love science. This has made me learn to appreciate the wonders of this world in a way I had not done in my childhood. Over time, I began to see the world through the eyes of a scientist. Scientists are interested to know the “whys” and “hows” of everything. While some people may think that this is opposed to seeing things through the eyes of faith, I see no distinction. In fact, this world is so fascinating that I cannot come to any other conclusion other than the fact that only our amazing God could create the marvels I see each day. Many scientists have come to this same conclusion.
Sr. Joan Chittister has said that “science is the spiritual director of our age”. What she means is that if we can begin to see things through the eyes of science, with a sense of wonder and awe, we will surely see the work of God, continually creating and fully present in our world.
Lord, help us see your hand at work in our world.
Darcy Wharton
Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019-Savoring
In discussions on how to receive the Eucharist, many people have mentioned how they were instructed to receive the eucharist years ago. They were told never to “chew” or “bite” on the host, and instead they were instructed to let the host dissolve on their tongues. Many still continue that practice today. However, more recent instruction is that we are allowed to “consume” the body of Christ fully, as one would normally eat. Either approach is acceptable, as long as we are respectful.
As I reflect on how I approach eating in general, I realize that I often I rush through the whole experience instead of savoring what I am consuming. It can be easy to do the same with Eucharist. No matter which way we choose to consume the host, it seems that the important thing is “savoring” the experience of receiving the body and blood of Christ.
Darcy Wharton