Happy New Year!
Dear Creator Family, As I think about the coming New Year, I trace the line of my life through the past one. It surprised me, as I sat thinking about this, that my line waivered so and in some places disappeared. Well, it didn’t really disappear, rather it is in those places that I have obscured it to myself because I don’t want to see. I know, from the many conversations I have had in my lifetime, that many people, Christians among them, simply don’t believe in Adam and Eve, the apple and the whole “garden thing.” But obscuring the Creation story gives us license to ignore the details, and ignoring the details sets us free in blissful ignorance. So many changes flowed from that first bite, in that first moment. Changes we read about in Holy Scripture and know about deep in our being, were set in motion as ripples in the flow of time and heartbeats in the span of a life. As people of faith, we do not run from such things. Knowing that Jesus paid our debt and that the Holy Spirit dwells in us, we are already free to be hands and feet of Christ in the world. We are called by that shinning light on the hill, led by hope and bolstered by divine love. I have often said that we, human beings, need an excuse to act, to grow, and to change. What better excuse do we have than the turn of the year? Metaphorically, the new year is the harbinger of reform or repose. Rationally, it is an empty bucket to which we can add our individuality. I offer you, my Creator Family, the following prayers and reflection, with hope and love. May these words inspire and enfold you. May they lift you to resolve and open you to self-emptying. I pray for you all that these words utter and more; the presence of God made manifest in your spirit and soul. Prayerfully, Fr. Bill† I am the New Year. I am the New Year. I am an unspoiled page in your book of time. I am your next chance at the art of living. I am your opportunity to practice what you have learned about life during the last twelve months. All that you sought and didn't find is hidden in me, waiting for you to search it again but with more determination. All the good that you tried for and didn't achieve is mine to grant when you have fewer conflicting desires. All that you dreamed but didn't dare to do, all that you hoped but did not will, all the faith that you claimed but did not have-these slumber lightly, waiting to be awakened by the touch of a strong purpose. I am your opportunity to renew your allegiance to Him who said, "Behold, I make all things new." - Author Unknown Pondering in Our Hearts - A Christian Reflection Early on in his Gospel, Luke twice mentions Mary doing something extraordinary, namely, pondering something "in her heart." The first occasion is after the departure of the shepherds at the Nativity; the second is when she and Joseph discover the child Jesus speaking with the Temple elders. Luke's phrase is telling. For Mary to "ponder" something "in her heart," is not simply for her to remember the details or get her facts straight. Rather, it seems more a way to take in something in its totality and to let it sink down deep, into the heart, the place where it can change you. Were we to be like Mary, how might we ponder in our hearts what we ourselves have seen and heard this past Christmas season so that, before it closes, we might learn something more from it than we did the first time through? Something which might just sink down deep and somehow change us. Perhaps these questions might be of some help. What was the best, the greatest, gift you received this year - not the brightest gift or the shiniest or the fastest or the most expensive gift, but the best gift, the greatest gift? Who gave it to you? And do they even know they did? What was the best gift you gave this year, one that may have cost you a little or one which may have cost you a lot. And the little or a lot that it might have cost you might not have been money at all. If there was something you did in the last several weeks which was just what someone else needed, just when they needed it, just what was it? If there was one time when all your troubles, your cares and worries, seemed to you far, far away - what was that time? And what chased your troubles away? If there was one glance you had of someone else that allowed you to see them fresh, as if for the very first time, yet see them as well radiant with all that they mean to you - what was that time? And who was that person? Was there ever a time - perhaps in a crowd and surrounded with people or perhaps by yourself - that it struck you that you are a lucky, lucky person? What was that time? Who were those people around you, if people there were? And what seems to have brought that feeling on? If you said one thing exactly right, exactly true and straight from your heart, just what exactly did you say? And to whom did you say it? And why? If within the last few weeks you brushed a tear from your eye secretly so that no one else could see it, why did that tear come? And what did that tear mean? When do you feel the proudest? The happiest? The most content? Indeed, the most yourself? If you could look back over the many, many moments of this tender season now ending and pick out one moment from among them all - just one -pick the one where somehow you knew in your heart that it was all true: the angels indeed did sing, the shepherds indeed did worship, the kings indeed did bring their gifts and bow low - and all of this because at that one moment you felt almost held aloft by kind and mighty hands; and if you could take that one moment and hold it in your heart forever, take it out and gaze upon it from time to time as if to look upon a kind of snow globe, just what would that one moment be? - Fr. Michael Graham, S.J. Drenched in Holiness Dear God, On this day I ask You to grant this request, May I know who I am and what I am, Every moment of every day. May I be a catalyst for light and love, And bring inspiration to those whose eyes I meet. May I have the strength to stand tall in the face of conflict, And the courage to speak my voice, even when I'm scared. May I have the humility to follow my heart, And the passion to live my soul's desires. May I seek to know the highest truth And dismiss the gravitational pull of my lower self. May I embrace and love the totality of myself, My darkness as well as my light. May I be brave enough to hear my heart, To let it soften so that I may gracefully Choose faith over fear. Today is my day to surrender anything that stands Between the sacredness of my humanity and my divinity. May I be drenched in my Holiness And engulfed by Your love. May all else melt away. And so it is. - Debbie Ford
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I recently saw a plate proclaiming in the center, The 12 Days of Christmas, surrounded by cartoon-like caricatures of turtle doves, maids, pipers, and all the rest. The plate was pretty, colorful and stylish, in a whimsical sort of way. It suggested a light hearted, trivial approach to an arbitrary rhyme set to a random number–in a song. If they only knew…
To understand the inspiration for the writing of such a limerick, we have to go way back to 567. The Council of Tours met to discuss and address issues of the church. Amidst the many considerations, establishing the date of Epiphany was of the most importance. For good reasons, such as emphasizing the number twelve, the 6th of January was chosen, thereby making official the 12 days of Christmas. They wrote, "the twelve days from Christmas to Epiphany is a sacred and festive season, and established the duty of Advent fasting in preparation for the feast." From this not-so-humble beginning rose prayer, song and rhyme extolling the Holy Season of the Child. In 1780, a copy of French song lyrics (without music) were printed in England, in a local paper. The song was quickly put to music of many and varying types which led to the tune we know. Derived from a 1909 arrangement of a traditional folk melody by English composer Frederic Austin, this became the standard that lasted the ages. But, what does it all mean? Underneath the colorful imagery of brides and French hens lies a code of sorts, common images linked to profound Christian truths. The Monks who are attributed with writing this poem-song, were hiding faith in plain sight. A teaching tool and a clandestine proclamation, the 12 Days of Christmas would be said and sung, even as it is today, proclaiming Jesus even by those who didn’t know it. A Partridge in a Pear Tree The partridge in a pear tree represents Jesus, the Son of God, whose birthday we celebrate on the first day of Christmas. Christ is symbolically presented as a mother partridge, the only bird that will die to protect its young. Two Turtledoves These twin birds represent the Old and New Testaments. So, in this gift, the singer finds the complete story of the Christian faith and God’s plan for the world. The doves are the biblical roadmap that is available to everyone. Three French Hens These birds represent faith, hope, and love. This gift hearkens back to 1 Corinthians 13, the love chapter written by the Apostle Paul. It also represents the Holy Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Four Calling Birds One of the easiest facets of the song’s code to figure out these fowl are the four Gospels — Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Five Gold Rings The gift of the rings represents the first five books of the Old Testament, known as the Torah or the Pentateuch: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Six Geese a-Laying These lyrics can be traced back to the first story found in the Bible. Each “egg” is a day in Creation when God “hatched” or formed the world. 1. God created the heavens and the earth 2. God created the sky and seas 3. God created the land and plants 4. God created the sun, moon, and stars 5. God created fish and birds 6. God created land animals and man 7. Seven Swans a-Swimming It would take someone quite familiar with the Bible to identify this gift. Hidden in the code are the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: Prophecy, Ministry, Teaching, Exhortation, Giving, Leading, Compassion. As swans are one of the most beautiful and graceful creatures on earth, they would seem to be a perfect symbol for spiritual gifts. 8. Eight Maids-a-Milking As Christ came to save even the lowest of the low, this gift represents the ones who would receive his word and accept his grace. Being a milkmaid was about the worst job one could have in England during this period; this code conveyed that Jesus cared as much about servants as he did those of royal blood. The Eight Maids represent the eight Beatitudes, from Matthew 5:3-10: Blessed are… 1. The poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 2. Those who mourn: for they shall be comforted. 3. The meek: for they shall inherit the earth. 4. Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness: for they shall be filled. 5. The merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. 6. The pure in heart: for they shall see God. 7. The peacemakers: for they shall be called children of God. 8. They which are persecuted for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 9. Nine Ladies Dancing These nine dancers were really the gifts known as the fruit of the Spirit. The Fruits of the Spirit include: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-control. 10. Ten Lords a-Leaping This is probably the easiest gift to understand. As lords were judges and in charge of the law, this code for the Ten Commandments was fairly straightforward to Christians. 1. Thou shall have no other gods before me 2. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image 3. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain 4. Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy 5. Honor thy father and mother 6. Thou shalt not kill 7. Thou shalt not commit adultery 8. Thou shalt not steal 9. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor 10. Thou shalt not covet 11. Eleven Pipers Piping This is almost a trick question, as most think of the disciples in terms of the dozen. But when Judas betrayed Jesus and committed suicide, only eleven men carried out the gospel message. Therefore, the Eleven Pipers Piping signify the 11 Faithful Disciples: Simon (whom He named Peter), Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James, son of Alphaeus, Simon, who was called the Zealot, Judas, son of James, and faithful Matthias, his replacement. 12. Twelve Drummers Drumming The final gift is tied directly to the one Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. The drummers are the 12 points of doctrine in the Apostles’ Creed. 1. I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. 2. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. 3. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. 4. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. 5. He descended into hell. On the third day, He rose again. 6. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. 7. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. 8. I believe in the Holy Spirit, 9. the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, 10. the forgiveness of sins, 11. the resurrection of the body, 12. and the life everlasting. It is a joy to know that as we sing and hear the 12 Days of Christmas we are participating in the proclamation of life and salvation through Jesus Christ! Praying you are having a blessed Christmas season, Fr. Bill† “If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. John 14:15-17
In the Gospel of John, the Greek verb παρακαλέω (parakaleó) is used five times, four of them referring to the Holy Spirit and once to Jesus. Parakaleó, in English "paraclete," is actually a verb not native to Koine Greek (the language of most of the New Testament), but a transliteration from the Latin word advocatus. Lochlan Shelfer, in an article titled, "The Legal Precision of the Term 'πάράkλητος'," explains it thus; "παράκλητος [does not have] any independent meaning of its own, it is in fact a calque for the Latin term advocatus, meaning a person of high social standing who speaks on behalf of a defendant in a court of law before a judge. When Greeks came into contact with the Roman Empire [...] the word παράκλητος was developed as a precise equivalent to the Latin legal term advocatus. Thus, its significance must be found not only in its very few extant appearances, but also in the specific use of the Latin legal term." The term "paraclete" has been translated several ways and may be found to be different in any two bibles in your home. The KJV uses “comforter” (as does Martin Luther); the ASV retains “comforter,” footnoting “advocate” or “helper.” The RSV uses “counselor”; the NEB, “advocate”; the NASB, “helper,” refencing “Intercessor.” The great preacher and theologian Phillips Brooks uses a sentence to provide a clear pastoral meaning: “someone else to stand by you,” and Edward Klink, Evangelical writer and pastor, goes further, calling the Holy Spirit “the intimate presence of God with his people.” As Jesus used this term, he knew well that it would be expanded in the languages that followed in the attempt to grasp the whole, true meaning. Perhaps the best definition of paraclete is all of them, held in tension a community of description. Jesus' intention during his discourse was to assure us that we were not alone, Jese was sending us an “other” to dwell with us—in us, and remind us and guide us in all truth. In our baptismal service, we complete the Rite by anointing the candidate with holy oil and saying, “You are sealed by the Holy Spirit in Baptism and marked as Christ’s own forever” (BCP 308.) The seal of the Holy Spirit is the sign of the indwelling presence of God and the presence of the Holy Spirit with us always. St. Paul in his Letter to the Romans extols the real effect of Christ’s pronouncement, “the Spirit of God dwells in you.” (8:9) The Holy Spirit’s indwelling is said to be the sine qua non of being a Christian, that without which not one could not truly be in relationship with God. The Holy spirit is THE essential reality of our life in Christ. St Paul tells us that “Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him” (Romans 8:9). This is a definitive statement. Either you have the Spirit or you don’t. And if you do not have the Spirit, you are not a Christian. Without the Holy Spirit, St. Jude tells us, in that case they are “ungodly” and encourages all true believers to , “…build yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love” (20b-21a). To be Pentecost people is to be people in whom the Holy Spirit permanently resides,“For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body – Jews or Greeks, slaves or free – and all were made to drink of one Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:13). This essential presence of God, the God who created all things—even you, dwells in you! This is an amazing and blessed assurance we are intended to cling to in times of pain, suffering, hurt of any kind, and through moments of doubt, indecision, confusion, and desperation. The Holy Spirit is the Comforter and the Counselor, the Advocate and the Intercessor who guides and directs us to godly living. The Holy Spirit dwells in you to guide your growth and holiness though the awareness of God’s universal and constant presence. God dwelt in the Tabernacle of the Temple as witness to the Israelites, so now the Holy Spirit dwells in you, the new Temple of God’s presence. Christian holiness is not obedience to the law (Galatians 5:22-23). It is submission to the indwelling Spirit. “Do you now know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16). “Or do you now know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). St. Paul solidifies this connection in Romans 8:11-14, when he says, “If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you” (v. 11). Because of that future promise of new life to our bodies at the resurrection, St. Paul tells us that now “we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh . . . but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live” (vv. 12–13). To live a dedicated life to God is to live by the blessings of the Holy Spirit. Through the blessings of the Holy Spirit true life is achieved as all things are put into the divine perspective and this perspective is Holiness. Living by the Indwelling Holy Spirit, Fr. Bill+ The sun shall be no more your light by day, nor for brightness shall the moon give light to you by night; but the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory.” Isaiah 60:19 The earliest known mention of Christians observing the Nativity on December 25 is in a Roman calendar for the year 336. By the middle of the 5 th century, most of the churches both East and West were keeping the feast on this date. In the northern hemisphere at least, the December date made sense pastorally and theologically, if not historically. Mid-December (21-23) is Yuletide—the Winter Solstice. During the preceding months in the northern hemisphere, the sun has moved further south and the days have grown darker and colder. Pagan peoples marked this period of the waning sun as a time of foreboding, a time when old “ghosts” (troubles of the past) could be dealt with and exorcised in apprehension of Yule. The Winter Solstice marked the change from darkness to light as the sun began its long journey northward. Pastorally speaking, the growing Christian church recognized some of the traditions of the yule season as positive and hopeful. The concern for familiarity after conversion and the striking similarity to Christian theological realities, made December 25 th perfect for the "Christ's-Mass" celebration. The pagan rites pointing toward new life with the new light were Christianized to reveal the One True Light. Nature worked in tandem with the revelation of God made manifest as the Light of new life in the Christ child—who pierced the darkness. Spiritually speaking, the coming of God in the flesh is indeed the dawn of a new light, the dawn of this new creation, where, as God did in the beginning (Gen. 1:3), God speaks into the darkness and illumines it with the radiance of his Word. Like all celebrations of the Church, the Nativity simultaneously looks back into history and forward into the promised life to come. History and future promises, in fact, come together in one liturgical celebration, where they are realized as one present reality. We experience this every Sunday during the Holy Eucharist. The Eucharist, preceded by contemplative prayer, envelopes us as the moment of light. Jesus' Body and Blood shed for us on the Cross and offered to us at the altar unites us to Jesus at the spiritual level and manifests the light of the incarnation within us. Advent is our time to embrace this reality as we exercise old ghosts anticipate new life. Christmas is the celebration of God’s Incarnation in you; his coming to lay in the manger of your heart, to illumine the darkened soul and body with his wisdom and glory. If we take Christmas at all seriously, we have to take its inner, spiritual meaning seriously. And if we take this spiritual meaning seriously, we have to take Advent seriously, because Advent is precisely the time when we prepare our souls and bodies to receive the Lord. The world's commercial emphasis encourages us—no, demands— that we forget about this season of preparation and focus. It would have us begin the Christmas celebration before its due time. Unprepared, and unable to perceive its true significance, we are pressured to celebrate a phantom. Advent teaches us that the Christian life consists first in purgation, and only then, illumination. First, there is a barren desert, and only then a Promised Land; first a cross, and only then a life redeemed. As with Job (1:9), every Christian will eventually face the long trek of faith through the desert, where the pleasures and consolations of this world fail and only God’s grace can suffice. This is the practice of the Advent season, given us as a gift from the Church’s storehouse of spiritual wisdom. Advent is not a time for bright lights and feasting. It is not a time for indulgences of the flesh, the kinds of indulgences that serve to strengthen the hold of spiritual darkness and ignorance on our souls. Advent is a time to clear away distractions, to reaffirm our commitment to follow Christ not only away from the throne of glory into the flesh, but from the flesh into intercessory suffering on behalf of all. Advent is a time of self-emptying, that we might be filled not with a glory of our own making, but with the spiritual glory of God. As much as possible, then, deny the glitter of the marketers, the advertisers, the media-genies, the pushers of goods and superficial good times. Instead, dig deeply into your faith, entrusted to you that it might bear fruit. The Church, where her teaching is sound, asks us to practice Advent by fasting, by almsgiving, by self-scrutiny and confession, by spiritual study, and by vigils of prayer. If you must, set up your Christmas decorations as you anticipate the coming of Christmas, but do not lose Advent in the process. The time for celebrating will come, but now is still (in every sense of that term) the time of growing darkness in which, soon we receive the Light. Embracing the darkness, Fr. Bill |
AuthorFather Bill Burk† Archives
February 2025
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