Advent Reflections – December 10, 2015

Published on December 10, 2015November 27, 2015 by KateLeave a comment

Able to Love without Requiring Love in Return: In Church Tradition

Very simply, love is choosing to put another’s needs before our own. The First Letter of John says,

If someone who has worldly means sees a brother in need and refuses him compassion, how can the love of God remain in him? – 1 John 3:17

Everyone knows the iconic man, who is merry, jolly and bright, and the joy he brings to children across the world. There is a story about St. Nicholas, aka Santa Claus, that beautifully demonstrates this kind of love.

Nicholas lived in the 300s (fun fact: he attended the Council of Nicea in 325 C.E. which is when the Church formalized our understanding of Jesus’ relationship with the God the Father and officially formulated the first part of the Nicene Creed – the statement of faith we still say to this day at Mass). In those days, a father had to produce a dowry, money or some other possession of value, that would go with his daughter when she married. No dowry = little chance of a husband. The father in our story was poor and had 3 daughters. Nicholas heard of this situation and had the means to fix it. On three separate nights, he tossed a bag of gold coins (some legends say a ball of gold) into an open window, allowing the girls to have enough money for a respectable marriage.

Nicholas had two options. He could have called the father to his home and graciously bestowed the money. He could have made a public spectacle of the event, showing off to everyone what a kind and generous person he is. But, Nicholas heard well the admonishment of Jesus:

“[But] take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father. – Matthew 6:1

Is it easier to do acts of love when others are watching? How can I more freely act in love without looking for praise or recognition in return?

Advent Reflections – December 9, 2015

Published on December 9, 2015November 21, 2015 by KateLeave a comment

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.

glass-783678_1920 — 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

Published on December 8, 2015December 3, 2015 by KateLeave a comment

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.

74444_629255110770_1634163_n — 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?