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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

The Conception of Jesus

A Letter from Jesus

Violence in the Old Testament

Put Your Faith into Practice

To You, O Lord, I Lift My Soul

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