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Gifts Made Manifest in a Spiritual Resolution

1/20/2019

Today we celebrate the Second Sunday of Ordinary Time. We hear the story of the changing of water to wine; the first miracle of our Lord at the wedding at Cana in which He is revealed⎯made manifest⎯as divine. This story is an “epiphany” celebration, a theophany ⎯ startling evidence of divine intervention. Appropriately, in today’s Psalm we sing: “Proclaim to all the nations, the marvelous deeds of the Lord!”

In the miracle of the wedding at Cana Jesus is revealed to His disciples as the Son of God; He is the proof of God’s unconditional and redeeming love for us. This love that motivates God to earth is expressed in Isaiah’s words as a love that is like the intimacy of the marital bond: no more are we forsaken and desolate, but we are espoused and delighted!

The letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians reminds us that God’s gifts are made manifest in us: many diverse gifts, but of the same spirit and given for some benefit or service. In this New Year, have we made any spiritual resolutions? Perhaps your spiritual growth may include discerning your gifts and their use in the service and benefit of this Community. Maybe you would like to devote time to scripture study - there is plenty of opportunity for that here at St. Aidan! (Thanks David!)

Last time in Cycle C, for Second Sunday of Ordinary Time, I wrote a letter to God as my “Sing Praise” article - and I would like to repeat some of it now.

Holy God of Heaven and Earth,

I know that a thousand years are as a day to you, but we humans are bound up in time. As a new season is beginning, please teach me to care more about people and less about money, to enjoy my work but not let it enslave me, and to laugh more easily than I did last year. Help me to remember the things that are easy to forget: to remember that it might well be my last year—that some people are counting on me and that you have things for me to do. Help me discern what those things may be in order to be the best me I can be.

Lord, please let me shake off the monotony of life, try some new things, and mend broken fences. Father of Mercies please teach me in this new year to lighten up and let go, to enjoy children, sunsets, reading, and long walks, avoid quarrels and work at being a peacemaker in this world; to start the year with fewer regrets. May we live always for your glory!

I cannot know what this year will bring, and I am grateful for that blessing! Help me to eat less junk food, exercise, to take better care of my body (the Spirit’s temple) and to engage my intellect; to learn to enjoy the simple pleasures of life. Above all other things, Father, I want to be your instrument for easing somebody's too-heavy load, to relieve some sad person's misery, and to introduce some lost soul to Jesus and His love and peace. Help me to be merciful and always kind. Come what may, may we all live for your revealed glory, within your will, and to your delight. We pray all in the name of Jesus. Amen!

We gather together today; and at Mass we are espoused - joined to heaven - in the great prayer of our Church. Today we sing a wonderful hymn based on a well-known hymn tune called ‘Sing a New Church’ (JS 830). The refrain is: “Let us bring the gifts that differ, And, in splendid, varied ways, Sing a new church into being, One in faith and love and praise.” What a marvelous New Year’s resolution it would be for us to manifest Christ to the world in service of others: our own epiphany of spirit and a celebration of our gifts given by a generous God. Make your New Year’s spiritual resolution now - it’s never too late!

Keep singing!

Elizabeth Dyc

The Supreme Value

1/10/2019

Before the face of the supreme value, we are called to have a change of mind. On this Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, we come face to face with the supreme value - our Savior Jesus - as His Father lets everyone know who Jesus is as He submits to the baptism of John in the waters of the Jordan. Jesus - Son of God - is the one, if we let Him, who will form us to be lights for others, bring clarity of vision to those suffering from the darkness of confusion and sin, and lead to freedom those in the bondage of one vice or another. To be such agents though, we first must undergo a change of mind.

This weekend, in Luke’s Gospel, we hear: Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased” (3:21-22). Jesus certainly did not need to be baptized, but He submitted to John’s baptism as a sign for all of us that we need to die to ourselves in order to accomplish God’s will in our lives. Jesus, then, exhibits great humility in submitting to John’s baptism.

To be clear, John’s baptism was/is not the same as the baptism Jesus instituted as one of the Seven Sacraments. John’s baptism only served as a visible token of repentance - from the Greek word metanoia, literally a “change of mind”. It was a reminder to all who submitted to such a baptism that they must turn away from sin and instead toward God, in preparation for the coming of Jesus the Savior. Jesus did not need to be baptized because He was totally faithful to the will of His Father and free from sin. What He wanted was to show His solidarity with us in order to reconcile us to the Father. By commanding His disciples to baptize all nations (cf. Matthew 28:19), He established the means by which we can die to sin and begin to live a new life with God.

If live up to our baptismal calling, having been made, through Jesus, sons and daughters of God, we can accomplish with and though Jesus the great work Isaiah speaks of as well this weekend: to be lights for others, to bring clarity of vision to those suffering from the darkness of confusion and sin, and to lead to freedom those in the bondage of one vice or another.

The key to all of this, though, is that when we are faced with the supreme value - Jesus - we have that change of mind, that metanoia. Let us, as we continue forward into this new year of 2019, respond to the call of Jesus to turn away from sin, embrace the Good News of Jesus, dead and risen, and exhibit the transformative nature of this Good News in our own lives so that all may experience the renewal we have been privileged to experience (and continue to experience as we doggedly practice our faith) as we together share the Supreme Value - Jesus - in their midst.

David J. Conrad

Baptism of the Lord: A Bridge

1/10/2019

Last weekend’s “Sing Praise” article talked about how the Feast of the Epiphany, today’s Feast of the Baptism of the Lord and next week end’s story of the miracle at Cana (Jesus’ first miracle) form a three-Sunday “line up” of divine manifestation. These three events were the three major epiphanies of Christ: Jesus is made manifest as divine (the star, the dove and voice, the water turned to wine).

Today’s Feast of The Baptism of the Lord forms a bridge between this Christmas Season and the next: it is both the culmination of Christmas and the beginning of Ordinary Time; it is both an ending and a beginning. Today, with the end of the Christmas Season, we still sing things of Christmas—and yet we celebrate Jesus’ baptism today (remembering our own baptismal promises) and the beginning of His public ministry as prophesied in Isaiah: “the victory of justice…a light for the nations, to open the eyes of the blind…”

This last Sunday of the Christmas Season I would like to take the opportunity again to thank all those member-volunteers of the Music Ministry (the young and the youthful) for their dedication and service to the Parish of St. Aidan. The long rehearsals, extra rehearsals and private practice are a huge commitment and sacrifice of time, talent and treasure in order to bring meaning, love, joy and beauty to our liturgical celebrations. Please hug any age Choir/Music Ministry member today and thank them for all the time and effort spent to serve the Parish well!

Next weekend we will see changes in the liturgy reflecting the beginning of the new season of Ordinary Time: the Gloria will change, there will be no post-Gospel Acclamation, we will speak our response to the Prayers of the Faithful and we will sing a different set of Eucharistic Acclamations. Ordinary Time means ordinal, or, counted time. In this new (next) season we will study Jesus’ ministry—which is really anything but ordinary!

Today ends the Christmas Season and we begin our liturgical ‘countdown’ that leads us to Lent and beyond. A new season of spiritual resolutions begins! May God bless you in this New Year with good health, peace and prosperity. In the meantime: Keep Singing!

Elizabeth Dyc

The Conception of Jesus

12/22/2018

“Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.” (Matthew 1:18-25) His mother, Mary, engaged to be married to Joseph but while still a virgin, became pregnant by the Holy Spirit. How do you understand this mystery? How do you grasp this unfathomable conception of the Messiah in the womb of Mary? Joseph and Mary had their own challenges of belief and understanding as they were caught up in this amazing and bewildering moment of God's grace.

How is a child conceived by the Holy Spirit, seeming so impossible and improbable? How do you understand such a child? Here is an equally profound question: How do you grasp the conception of Jesus in you? The cumulative weight of scripture of this truth, however, is much like the appearance of the angel to Joseph and Mary—because God wants Jesus to come alive in us, too. He wants us to become as Jesus in our world and to our world, and He promises to do this by the power of the Holy Spirit.

God came into our world in Jesus Christ, conceived in the womb of Mary without the intervention of a human father. Let's also remember that God wants to come into our world through us: our words, our influence, our character, our actions, our conversion, our work, our witness and our transformation. The same Spirit that conceived and empowered the Lord Jesus is also at work in all of us to conform us to Jesus, and to empower us to serve like Jesus.

In these holy-days of Christmas and the year to come, let us re-awaken our hearts to the wonders of God's grace in the birth of Jesus from the womb of Mary, and in the birth of Jesus into our lives. Both of these miraculous realities are necessary to show God's grace to our world. Let us commit to truly live the life of Jesus before our dark and unbelieving world so that the people around us can know of God's grace, mercy, and love through us. Instead of the Inn, now “Ours the Hearts He seeks for lodging.” Have a very happy and peaceful Christmas, celebrating the birth of our salvation into the world, and into our hearts.

Keep singing!

Elizabeth Dyc

A Letter from Jesus

12/15/2018

I wrote this article a few years ago at this time of year, and people seemed to appreciate its message—so I decided a “re-print” might be in order. (The Advent Pageant is keeping me extra busy…) Today, this Third Sunday of Advent, the crowds ask John the Baptist, “What should we do?” John clearly answers how to live a Christ-like life. He talks about charity and sharing, about holiness. This letter from Jesus is something I received from a friend (email), and I share it with you. It is entitled “A Letter from Jesus” and as scripture in Advent reminds us, this is a good time to discern what is most important. Keep singing! Elizabeth Dyc

Dear Children,

It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season. Maybe you have forgotten that I wasn't actually born during this time of the year and that it was some of your predecessors who decided to celebrate My birthday on what was actually a time of pagan festival. Although, I do appreciate being remembered any time.

How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate really My birth just be humankind (human and kind) and LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

Having said that let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen of your own and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers did this there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town. (Remember the distinction between God and Caesar.)

Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can remember Me anytime you see any tree, maybe save a few. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one, look up John 15:1-8.

If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish list. Choose something from it:

Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. Tell them you pray that war will end, and for their soon and safe return. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.
Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them and pays them some attention.
Instead of writing political leaders and complaining, why don't you write and tell them that you'll be praying for them and their family this year? They certainly need it, just like the rest of you. Then follow up (with the prayer). It will be nice hearing from you again.
Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the Story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.
Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.
Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile as it may make a difference.
Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a “Merry Christmas” that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day maybe they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families.
If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary, especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name.
Here's a good one: There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no “Christmas” tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to a charity and they will make the delivery for you. This will also make a difference!
Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions, by what you say and do, that you are one of mine.

Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work because time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love, and remember me.

I LOVE YOU,
JESUS

Violence in the Old Testament

12/8/2018

The practice of the ban, like a number of other features of ancient Hebrew law and custom, is a survival from more primitive and barbarous times, which finally disappeared with the growth of a more enlightened morally and a more civilized manner of life. These mass murders were no doubt done in good faith by the early Hebrews, but they cannot be justified in any way by the fact that the Hebrews believed that the action was pleasing to God, and the growth of Hebrew understanding in this respect is exhibited in the historical books, where the practice does not appear after the war of Saul with the Amalekites (cf. 1 Samuel 15).

Read in Light of Christ:
The Catholic has to interpret the entire Old Testament as a gradual progression towards Jesus. “Anyone who wishes to understand the biblical belief in God must follow its historical development from its origins with the patriarchs of Israel right up to the last books of the New Testament” (Benedict XVI). Christians believe the fullness of truth is revealed in the person, teaching, and ministry of Jesus. We look at the entirety of Scripture in light of Him. Problematic passages in the Old Testament are “valid insofar as they are part of the history leading up to Christ” (Benedict XVI).

Developing Morality:
Instances of violence and immorality in the Bible can be adequately addressed only if Catholic s take seriously the fact that “God’s plan is manifested progressively and it is accomplished slowly, in successive stages and despite human resistance…Revelation is suited to the cultural and moral level of distant times” (Verbum Domini) and for this reason the Bible narrates certain things without denouncing their immorality in the way that we would rightly do today. “It follows straightway that neither the criterion of inspiration nor that of infallibility can be applied mechanically. It is quite possible to pick out one single sentence [of the Bible] and say, right, you find this sentence in [the Bible], so it must simply be true in itself” (Benedict XVI).

Old Testament Authors Not Privy to the Fullness of Divine Revelation:
Interpreting passages that seem to contradict the nature of God requires us to recognize that the people who penned the Old Testament were not privy to the fullness of divine revelation. Did the authors of the Old Testament think that God wanted them to execute entire peoples? It seems disingenuous to reply in the negative. Yet not withstanding what these authors thought, for Catholicism and its doctrine of biblical inerrancy the question revolves around what they intended to assert or teach.

God Condescends and Works Patiently with People:
The Old Testament’s conception of God and God’s deeds was imperfect because God was working with an imperfect people to gradually lead them to Christ. Like any good teacher, God in His divine pedagogy had to work with the pupils He had. The imperfections we see in the Old Testament are therefore not God’s, but rather due to the fact that He deigned to “condescend” and patiently work with a truly human people to lead them into communion with Himself.

Grace Builds on Nature:
God creates a human nature and works with it; grace builds on nature. Problematic passages within Scripture are among the clearest evidence that grace does not eliminate human nature.

David J. Conrad

Put Your Faith into Practice

12/8/2018

Today, this Second Sunday of Advent, we hear vivid and comforting statements about the future of ‘the chosen people.’ We hear how the people of God (personified as Jerusalem), will become the embodiment of peace and justice. In today’s divided world, that can’t happen soon enough! John the Baptist reminds us today to repent—that we have a responsibility as the ‘Baptised’ to further God’s reign on earth. We need to be a part of the work for peace and justice still to be done.

St. Paul’s prayer for the Philippians (and for all of us) is to ask for the knowledge that will make love overflow; for the wisdom found in keenness of perception; for the insight and discernment to put faith into practice. A great example of this is the Blessed Virgin Mary’s “Yes” to God which we heard this past week on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Personally, I am all about practice—whether we are speaking of practicing our faith, or a musical instrument, or another language—the list is endless. I believe everything we do is about practicing in order to be the best version of ourselves that God intends us to be. This prayer by St. Paul is always succinct, but most especially at this busy time of year when our lives are dictated by many secular expectations. This prayer of St. Paul is a worth repeating and praying, and it is great advice to follow and practice.

In the Book of the Prophet Baruch, in the Responsorial Psalm, and in the Gospel of Luke (quoting Isaiah), we hear poetic and lovely visions of the future for the children of God: peace and justice personified by a desert people: images such as level paths, fragrant shade trees, light in darkest moments─these are image reminders of the ‘bright’ promises God has made and will keep. In Psalm 126 (for this Second Sunday of Advent) we sing: “The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy!” God has already done for us, will continue to do for us, and will ever do for us.

In the midst of preparing (many rehearsals!) for the annual celebration of the birth of Christ, all of our musicians—the players and the singers from the Adult and Youth Choir and the Contemporary Group are working extra hard to put our faith into practice. Today at 4pm—in the interest of peace, justice, fellowship and fun--we will perform an “Advent Pageant: “Follow That Star” as a food and fundraiser for the St. Aidan Food Pantry. Look for the announcements and please come and be a part of this putting-faith-into-action activity!

In the Sacramentary today, an alternative opening prayer pleads that “the lure of greed not impede us from the joy which moves the hearts of those who seek Christ.” In the midst of the lure of secular Christmas, we are reminded to put our faith into practice. We are reminded that all flesh shall see the salvation of God. Heartily rejoice Jerusalem! Comfort, Comfort, O My People, for “The Lord has done great things for us!” Maranatha!

See you later! Keep singing!

Elizabeth Dyc

To You, O Lord, I Lift My Soul

12/1/2018

This First Sunday of Advent, all three of the Scripture readings speak of the coming of Christ. The Old Testament reading from the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah talks about the first coming of Christ: “I will raise up for David a just shoot; he shall do what is right and just in the land.”

Both the New Testament reading from the First Letter of St. Paul to the Thessalonians and the Gospel of St. Luke talk about the second coming of Christ: “to be blameless in holiness…at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his holy ones…” and “then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory…” Both of these readings exhort us to be ready and vigilant; to conduct ourselves to please God and “pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent…” to be ready for judgment.

We know that Christ has come; we know that in history God made His presence known in His love for us, but we also await His return at the end of time. Jesus reminds us today to be vigilant and alert in our waiting. We are called to live between the already and the not yet. So, what do we do while we wait?

The answer is to live all our now moments as if they were our last—as if now is the moment of final judgment. This moment, this place; here and now is the time of relationship with God. Here and now are the present and the future of our salvation.

The Psalm today tells us clearly what to do: “To you, O Lord, I lift my soul; to you, I lift my soul.” This is a prayer of plan and method, a way and an attitude of waiting for His next coming. In the meantime, in the here and now, we experience the presence of Christ in the mystery of the Word and Sacrament, in Eucharist and in Community; in a relationship with God through relationship with each other. We raise our voices together in thanks and praise, believing what we sing and singing what we believe. To You, O Lord, I lift my soul!

Keep singing!

Elizabeth Dyc

Doing Good by the Dead & Blessing of Food for Thanksgiving Day

11/18/2018

Doing Good by the Dead

All Saints Day (11/1) and All Souls Day (11/2) are traditional days for visiting the grave of a family member or friend, as is the whole month of November. The prayer, from Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers, is an appropriate prayer that can be used during such a visit during this month. Click here for the PDF of the prayer.

It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins (2 Maccabees 12:46).

Blessing of Food for Thanksgiving Day

In our country Thanksgiving Day is a holiday with special religious significance. Originally it was celebrated by the Pilgrims and the Native Americans to give thanks to God after the harvest of 1621. In 1863 President Abraham Lincoln declared the last Thursday of November should be a national day of thanksgiving.

What follows is a blessing for the food you will enjoy on Thanksgiving Day:

God most provident, we join all creation in raising to you a hymn of thanksgiving through Jesus Christ, your Son. For generation upon generation peoples of this land have sung of your bounty; we too offer you praise for the rich harvest we have received at your hands. Bless us and this food which we share with grateful hearts. Continue to make our land fruitful and let our love for you be seen in our pursuit of peace and justice and in our generous response to those in need. Praise and glory to you, Lord God, now and for ever. Amen.

David J. Conrad

The King Shall Come

11/18/2018

The Prophet Daniel in this week’s and next week’s first reading writes about the “Son of Man” coming at the end of time. As we near the end of this long period of Ordinary Time, the readings also reflect “end times.” As we think of the end of our time on earth─after all we just celebrated All Saints and All Souls─we know that for us there are two end times: one at the end of our physical lives; and one at the end of time: the Parousia. In Catholic theology we understand this as a time of redemption, a gathering of the elect into God’s arms.

We hear some scary phrases today about vigilance, about tribulation, the moon will not give light, the sun will be darkened, the stars falling from the sky and everlasting horror and distress. Daniel reminds us all, however, that “the wise shall shine brightly like the splendor in the firmament, and those who lead the many to justice shall be like the stars forever.” It would be wise to reflect on what is wisdom according to Scripture—and to conduct ourselves accordingly.

It is important that we live “resurrected lives” that reflect the hope and joy of which Daniel writes. Our worship should also reflect the anticipation of this hope and joy; and that we witness our commitment to this belief by what we say and do, both in church and out. Every time we celebrate the Mass, we remember the Christ who came, who died and rose, and who will return to gather all of us for a new existence in the new and eternal Jerusalem. We have a foretaste of the heavenly banquet right here and now; and we are joined to heaven in the Eucharistic prayer.

Today we sing the Psalm: “You are O God, my inheritance. I have all I need.” We must sing it, believe it, and live it. If we live a resurrected life, we will have no worry about either of the end times. “The King Shall Come When the Morning Dawns, and light triumphant breaks, When beauty gilds the eastern hills and life to joy awakes!” O God, we look forward to the “fullness of joys in Your presence.”

Keep singing!

Elizabeth Dyc

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