"I have loved you with an everlasting love...And I know the plans I have for you says the Lord"
Jeremiah:29-31
"Comfort, bring comfort to my people says your God"
If it were not for Scripture on the one hand and Communion on the other, I could not bear my life, but daily it brings me joy in this sorrow which is part of our human condition, and a real, very real and vital sense of the meaning and the fruitfulness of these sufferings. Thomas á Kempis, a mystic not at all in fashion now, says that in the cross is joy of spirit. Jesus said, Take up your cross and follow me. There is no one living who is not bearing a cross of some kind…. My grace is sufficient, God promises us…. Compassion—it is a word meaning “to suffer with.” If we all carry a little of the burden, it will be lightened. If we share in the suffering of the world, then some will not have to endure so heavy an affliction. It evens out. What you do here in New York, in Harrisburg, helps those in China, India, South Africa, Europe, and Russia, as well as in the oasis where you are. You may think you are alone. But we are members one of another. We are children of God together…. I write to comfort others as I have been comforted. The word comfort too means to be strong together, to have fortitude together. There is the reminder of community. Once when I suffered and sat in church in a misery while waves and billows passed over me, I suddenly thought, with exultation, “I am sharing suffering,” and it was immediately lightened…. In patience you will possess your souls. Patience means suffering and suffering is spiritual work, and it is accomplishing something, though we don’t realize it until later. It is a part of our education, our pilgrimage to heaven. By it we keep in mind that all the way to heaven is heaven. Epiphany means manifestation, Christ made manifest in our world and in our hearts.I must admit this Christmas season I have been a bit of a grump. It’s been almost 2 years since the Covid pandemic first began in the US and as much as we try to go back to how things used to be we can’t. This reflection on the birth of God in the world Help me to share in the joy that is Emmanuel God with us. In him is our hope! Amen
Joining in the Joy of the Magi Christ is born, give glory; Christ is from the heavens, go to meet him; Christ is on earth, be lifted up. Sing to the Lord, all the earth, and, to say both together, Let the heavens be glad and let the earth rejoice, for the heavenly one is now earthly. Christ is in the flesh, exult with trembling and joy; trembling because of sin, joy because of hope. Christ comes from a Virgin. Who would not worship the one from the beginning? Who would not glorify the Last? Again the darkness is dissolved, again the light is established. Let the people sitting in the darkness of ignorance see a great light of knowledge. The old things have passed; behold, all things have become new…. All nations, clap your hands; for to us a child is born, and to us a son is given, the power is on his shoulder, for he is lifted up along with the cross. Let John proclaim, prepare the way of the Lord. I myself will proclaim the power of this day. The fleshless one takes flesh, the invisible one is seen, the impalpable one is touched, the timeless one makes a beginning, the Son of God becomes Son of Man, Jesus Christ, the same yesterday and today and for the ages. This is our festival, this is the feast we celebrate today, in which God comes to live with human beings, that we may journey toward God, or return—for to speak thus is more exact—that laying aside the old human being we may be clothed with the new, and that as in Adam we have died so we may live in Christ, born with Christ and crucified with him, buried with him and rising with him. For it is necessary for me to undergo the good turnaround. Now welcome for me his conception and leap for joy, if not indeed like John in the womb, then like David when the ark came to rest. Be awed at the census record through which you have been recorded in heaven, and revere the birth through which you have been released from the bonds of birth, and honor little Bethlehem, which has brought you back to paradise, and bow before the manger through which you have been fed by the Word. Run after the star, and bring gifts with the Magi, gold and frankincense and myrrh, as to a king and a God and one dead for your sake. With the shepherds give glory, with the angels sing hymns, with the archangels dance. Let there be a common celebration of the heavenly and earthly powers. For I am persuaded that they rejoice and celebrate with us today. Saint Gregory Nazianz |
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I'm not really a writer, but it's on my long list of aspirations to become one. The first on the list is to become a great Saint! My hope is to share knowledge and inspiration as we walk together during our pilgrim journey on earth and guide each other, hand in hand to the gates of Heaven... If you for find this website helpful please consider making a donation today! Archives
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