Advent Reflections – December 9, 2015

Able to Love without Requiring Love in Return: Mary in Scripture

A reality of motherhood is loving someone without receiving any love back from them. This happens in more than just pregnancy. There are times when we all act out of love for a child, a spouse, a family member, a friend, a co-worker, a stranger, and do not expect to receive anything, any love in return. Our motivations are not selfish – I’ll scratch your back if you scratch mine. Instead, we act simply because we love them.

We see this quality in Mary. At the Wedding Feast in Cana, Mary comes to Jesus because the couple has run out of wine. Perhaps Mary was a friend of the couple and was helping coordinate the serving. She may have overheard the servers commenting that the wine barrels were running dry. Maybe she went to refill her own glass and was told there wasn’t any wine left. We don’t know the circumstances, and they don’t really matter.

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Image by lvicaM90 (2015) via Pixabay, CC.

What we do know is that to run out of wine, especially at a celebration like a wedding, was a major social faux pas. Mary, out of love for the couple, brings the issue to her Son. She does not seek attention, she does not even involve herself with the solution. She simply tells the servers to “Do whatever he tells you.” She acts as a mother would, motivated to act from a place of love.

What is something Jesus is asking you to do? Ask Mary our Mother for the strength and support to “Do whatever he tells you.”

Advent Reflections – December 8, 2015

Happy Feast of the Immaculate Conception! Today’s feast is near and dear to my heart. The chapel at the University of Dayton where I went to college is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception.

Today also marks the beginning of the Year of Mercy. Click here to learn more about the incredible opportunities we have to celebrate and participate in this year.

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Able to Love without Requiring Love in Return: The Reality of Motherhood

The most fundamental task of motherhood is giving life, being open to life. Coupled with this live-bearing ability is the capability of loving another person, even if there is no expectation of reciprocal love. When a woman first conceives a child, for the first few months the only signs of the life growing within her are nausea,  fatigue, odd eating habits, new sensitivity to certain smells, and random bouts of tears during commercial breaks.

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Our son John, around 8 weeks

She has felt no movement, sometimes hasn’t even heard a heartbeat yet. But already she is making extraordinary changes for the sake of her not-yet-known child.  Perhaps she is quitting smoking. She has reduced or ceased drinking alcohol. She is sleeping more and has increased the amount of water she is drinking. Very likely she is more closely watching her diet. She is or will be going to the doctor regularly.

The reality is that this new life has at this point, given her nothing. But in the depths of her heart, indeed her very being, this child is grown in love. The changes, the suffering, the anxiety, all come from this deep place of love.

Do you love anyone without needing them to love you in return?

Happy Thanksgiving

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Love is a fruit in season at all times, and within the reach of every hand. – Mother Teresa

 

Today we celebrate Thanksgiving. Today is a day when we slow down, gather together, and bring to mind the things that we are grateful for. For some this year, there will be many things to be thankful for. Others may struggle, perhaps it was a year of hardship, difficulty or loss. Each year is unique and therefore, each Thanksgiving is filled with different hopes, joys, and sorrows.

This beautiful quote from Mother Teresa is appropriate for today. Regardless of the year you have had, love is always in season. God is Love. God’s love for each of us is never ending, untiring and ever merciful. It is never out of season, it is always in style.

It is my hope and prayer today that you are able to find time to spend with God, our creator and lover. I hope that you are able to recognize that no matter the year you’ve had, God’s love has been with you and will continue to be. When we extend our hands in thanksgiving, we realize our loving God has already filled them.

Happy Thanksgiving