Advent Reflections – December 16, 2015

Published on December 16, 2015December 11, 2015 by KateLeave a comment

Capable of Great Forgiveness: The Reality of Motherhood

Any parent knows that one of the biggest lessons a child must learn is how to ask for and receive forgiveness. The forgiveness a mother can offer, especially to her children, is almost magical in its ability to wipe away the tears and problems of minutes before. There is something remarkable about the calming, soothing sound of “I forgive you. I love you.” Rather than seeking to judge, a mother is quick to forgive her children.

I believe the power in the lesson of forgiveness truly shows itself when the tables are turned. Moms aren’t perfect and there are days that they are the ones that need to seek forgiveness. It’s certainly not an easy pill to swallow. Asking for forgiveness means recognizing that you messed up, you were in the wrong. It means validating the other person, their feelings, and their basic human dignity and worth. We don’t apologize to a plant. We may say “sorry” to a pet but there is not an acknowledgement or exchange, they don’t forgive us back. The basic act of forgiveness requires two people, the forgiver and the one forgiven.

Forgiveness is one of the signs of God’s Kingdom present among us. In his announcement of the Year of Mercy (which began last week on Dec. 8), Pope Francis said:

How much I desire that the year to come will be steeped in mercy, so that we can go out to every man and woman, bringing the goodness and tenderness of God…May the balm of mercy reach everyone, both believers and those far away, as a sign that the kingdom of God is already present in our midst.

How do you practice forgiveness? As the Year of Mercy begins, in what ways can you become a better practitioner of forgiveness?

Advent Reflections – December 15, 2015

Published on December 15, 2015December 15, 2015 by KateLeave a comment

Willing to Make Sacrifices for Others: Real Life

Real life is full of opportunities for sacrifice. Because of the sinful nature of human beings, we operate on with a “me first” mentality. When we make a sacrifice for a loved one, or anyone really, we are putting that person before ourselves, before any selfish or prideful desires. These sacrifices can be small – think about letting someone merge before you next time you are in traffic (with a smile on your face). Or, they can be more significant – would you consider giving a full tithe of your income to support your church (biblically, a tithe is 10% of your earnings – before taxes now, we are talking first fruits here)?

Sacrifices can also be less tangible, such as the sacrifice of time. You could choose to stay home, warm and comfortable and watch a football game. Or, you can volunteer to ring a bell by a red bucket for a Sunday afternoon in the cold with the Salvation Army, collecting donations for the poor of your community.

I know that traditionally Lent is the season for sacrifices, but as we approach the last days of Advent, consider what you might sacrifice or give up to better prepare your heart for the coming of Christ. After all, at Christmas Jesus isn’t just born in the stable. If we let Him, He would be born in our hearts.

What is one sacrifice you could make that will help you better prepare for the coming of Christ in just a few days?

Advent Reflections – December 14, 2015

Published on December 14, 2015December 1, 2015 by KateLeave a comment

Willing to Make Sacrifices for Others: In Church Tradition

In late November, our family participated in a new ritual that our parish began at the end of October. Each week, a family is bringing home a special crucifix and promises to pray together each day, in the presence of this crucifix, for vocations, especially vocations to military chaplaincy. It is sitting on my kitchen table from where we prayed with it last night at dinner, watching over me as I write this post.

If I felt I needed to do research or seek inspiration for this post, I need not look farther than across the table. There, waiting for me and you with open arms, is Jesus, forsaken and crucified. Here is God, the creator and savior of the universe, who is greater than anything we can conceive of, subject to human cruelty, torture, pain and anguish. For what? For what purpose could God, who operates outside of time and space, enter into the finite world as a baby, born of simple origins, to live a simple life and to die an unwarranted painful death?

Love.

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. – John 3:16-17

This is really what we are waiting for, what we are preparing for. Yes, we are waiting for Jesus to come as a babe. But we would be missing the point if we did not connect cradle with cross. One of my favorite Advent songs is called “Wood of the Cradle.” This is the last line of the refrain: