For this week’s homily please play the video file below:
by Orlando Hernandez
“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourself. For my yoke is easy and my burden light.”
This Gospel leads me straight into the very heart of Jesus. It leads me to prayer. It leads me to seek Him deep within me. I hear Him call me. He is calling me softly, saying “Come to me, come to me. I am right here within your very soul. Be with me. I am reaching out to you. You are the lost sheep that I was seeking. I can feel your pain, your guilt, sorrow and fear in each one of my wounds. Come lay your burdens on my Cross.”
Then I realize that I am not alone, because He says, “come to me all of you”. I am one of many, so many tired, wounded followers and apostles throughout the centuries. I think of my Parish community. I remember all the people in the prayer groups that I belong to. All the many pleas that are made to Him. And I know that He is big enough to take into His heart every one of us, because He is our Lord and God.
There, in that Holy place we come into His rest. He embraces us. He soothes us. He heals us, as we stay with Him in the peace that intimate prayer can bring. But then He offers us a new burden. He offers us His yoke. A yoke is an implement that is placed over the shoulders of two bulls so that they can pull a burden, like a plow or a wagon, together, as a team. When I tie myself to that yoke I see Him next to me pulling with me, inviting me to be like Him, to learn from Him. What is He teaching me?
He teaches me that He is the meek and humble one. Do I want to be like Him? He is unresisting one, the non-violent one, allowing Himself to be crucified so that I may place all my burdens, all my sins, my fears, my doubts upon His Cross. He unburdens my heart. I feel the relief that comes from His touch. I rest.
Then, again I feel the yoke He places upon me, the burden of love. It can be so easy to fall in love, so unexpected. You can feel as light as a feather in the presence of your beloved, your husband, your wife, your child, your mother, your father, your dear friends, those you come to help and you fall in love with. Sometimes it can feel like such a heavy burden. Sometimes we fail at it. Sometimes we lose the ones we love. And yet the greatest gift that was given to us along with life was this opportunity to love. And so, when we don’t resist, when we let ourselves be swept by this love we feel ready to do anything for the beloved, to be Simon of Cyrene for them, to help them carry their cross, or even carry it for them.
Our hearts feel lighter, life feels easier when we are practicing good. Our God, who is the Eternal Good enables us to do this in our best moments. Please, don’t let me go. Come Jesus, rest in me so that I may rest in you, as I strive to give my life to You and to Your people.
Orlando Hernandez
Vincent van Gogh, “Four Swifts With Landscape Sketches”, 1887
If a child is wasteful, what should the parents do?
Give them more?
More toys?
More snacks?
More disposable goodies?
Should they inflate the number and insignificance of what the child already has?
If the child’s room or backyard is full of waste, scattered remnants of “grown-bored-with” toys and doodads, what’s the answer?
Should the parents implement specific and tedious rules detailing what the child should do and not do in order to preserve the cleanliness and neatness of the home and outdoor space?
Should the parents provide the child with even greater means to continue to live so wastefully, with such little appreciation?
Or maybe, just maybe, the answer begins with the child possessing less, less toys, less privilege—especially when the family budget doesn’t allow for them in the first place—wouldn’t that be more beneficial to all involved?
Maybe if the child had only a few but well-loved toys, the child would be less wasteful, less likely to discard them and negatively affect the family environment?
Isn’t it the same with the overall environment? With the care of the earth and its resources?
If we are really serious about the environment, is the answer really man-made laws from “up high” limiting the freedom of individuals and localities? Or would it be better to begin with embracing a liberating reality that would help foster a more natural and organic conservancy?
Put it this way, if the government actually had to balance the budget, I mean really balance it on an annual basis—spending only what it brings in—and they didn’t continue to print more money (especially when the new “currency” is not based on any real asset, but instead out of “thin-air”) don’t you think that spending on the national level would change?
It would have to, period.
And don’t you think that the debate over what we do spend on would tighten up, become quite serious, efficient, and effective? And don’t you think that on the local level it would be the most freeing? For it would create an environment where individuals wouldn’t be handed false paper to purchase false products (designed to be disposable), and then maybe we’d have a commercial reality that is truly sustainable—where we have perhaps fewer items but items we cherish, are grateful to possess, and protect and care for—goods we wouldn’t just throw away.
Would that perhaps change the pollution problem?
Would it perhaps address our reckless use of natural resources?
In short, no “environmentalist” is serious about the environment (and values individual rights and freedom of local choice) if they do not deal with the biggest polluter of all: runaway debt, rising inflation (with concurrent deflation of valued consumer-driven product), and false and perpetually self-emptying currency.
Because without the false means of consumerism, consumerism would have to return whence it came: nonreality.
For imbalanced budgets, large deficit spending, and reckless printing of currency are the most non-organic, the least natural, and most non-locally-supporting factors concerning the health of our rivers, soil, trees, and, quite frankly, ourselves.
So let’s be real. Real as dirt. Let go of the hidden influences, agendas, and political prejudices, and be serious about what is truly causing waste and environmental destruction.
The truthful alternative is certainly refreshing: an unwavering allegiance to God’s most natural law of truth, beauty, and divine efficiency. For while God is certainly exuberant in His abundance and provision, He is never wasteful. He never lies. He never “cooks the books”.
The Creator of the Universe is honesty to the utmost degree. Pure harmony. Pure integrity. Pure accountability. Not a trace of fallacy or fiction.
If you doubt me, well then just ask the local bird. Ask him if he can borrow against bad credit, if he can feed his babes with worms that are printed merely on paper, and if he ever worries about his offspring buying and buying and throwing out and throwing out—or is it precisely his non-inflated natural resources that actually keep his local environment in harmonious check?
It is as long as some bureaucratic bird, puffed up with unrealistic good intentions (and other people’s money) doesn’t come along promising freebies and handing out nests that he and his other fine-feathered friends pay for with bad credit or currency based on a non-existent reality.
In their bird-brained world, thank goodness, that doesn’t happen. No, birds build their nests in reality. And continue to fly high because of it.
We on the other hand have many among us who try to sell us such false narratives and papier-mâché mansions. They also ironically tend to be the ones who “support” the “environment” the most.
For to discuss global warming, sustainability, and carbon credits without discussing the need for balanced budgets and disciplined currency policy is to be either a fool or a liar—both cases are unsustainable.
Howard Hain is a contemplative layman, husband, and father. He blogs at http://www.howardhain.com
To reach God’s holy mountain there’s a journey to make, Isaiah says, but guides will show the way. “Behold, I send my messenger ahead of you, to prepare your way.” Mark 1, 1. John the Baptist appears in the desert promising forgiveness to those washing in the waters of the Jordan River. We have been baptized in the waters of baptism.
The Old Testament readings this Advent week, mostly from Isaiah, describe a desert journey, but the desert will bloom and a highway will be there, the prophet promises. (Monday) God will speak tender, comforting words to his people on the way. (Tuesday) Those who hope in him will renew their strength, soaring on eagle’s wings. (Wednesday) Though we are as insignificant as a worm, God holds us in his hands and says:“Fear not; I am with you.” (Thursday) God is our teacher and shows us the way to go. (Friday) On the way, prophets like Elijah accompany us. (Saturday)
Jesus is our way, the gospel readings say. He healed and forgave the paralyzed man– symbol of a paralyzed humanity– who was lowered through the roof into the house in Capernaum. (Monday) Like a good shepherd he searches for and finds the stray sheep. (Tuesday) “Come to me all who are weary, ” he says. (Wednesday) He sends us prophets and guides like John the Baptist and Elijah.( Thursday) Though rejected like John the Baptist, Jesus still teaches. (Friday)
He will save us, even though unrecognized like John and Elijah. (Saturday)
List of Readings
Monday: Isaiah 30, 1-10 The desert will bloom and a highway will be there, a holy way.Luke 5,17-26 The paralyzed man, lowered through the roof, is healed and forgiven.
Tuesday: Isaiah 40,1-11 The desert is a way to the Lord. Comfort my people. Mattthew 18, 12-14 The shepherd searches for the stray sheep.
Wednesday: Isaiah 30,25-31 God is the strength of his people. Matthew 11,28-30 “Come to me all who are weary…”
Thursday: Isaiah 41,13-20 God says, “I will grasp you by the hand. Fear not.”Matthew 11,11-15 John the Baptist is sent like Elijah.
Friday: Isaiah 48-17-19 I teach you what’s for your good and lead you on the way to go. Matthew 11,1-19 John and Jesus rejected as teachers.
Saturday: Sirach 48,1-4; 9-11 Elijah, precursor of John. Matthew 17, 9-13 Elijah and John not recognized.
El Greco, “St. Dominic Praying”, c. 1588
Sometimes just showing up is all we can do.
To put ourselves in position to pray and worship—at least physically, even if we just cannot seem to get there spiritually—is an act of prayer and worship in itself. And quite often, it is the best we have to offer.
By confessing our aridity through physical obedience alone, we approach God’s altar with humility, for we come to God in our “nothingness”.
The bowing of head, the placement of knees, and the closing of eyes return us to the dark warmth of the womb. It is no coincidence that the posture of prayer and the fetal position bear great semblance.
It is in the womb that we are closest to God, furthest from the corruption of the world, and possess the least of what our “flesh” considers of value—our “brilliant” ideas, our “magnificent” plans, our “heroic” acts—our self-aggrandizement.
It is in the womb that we find ourselves in complete dependence. We receive all we need without knowing, without speaking, without cost.
In that sense, being in the womb is much the same as being in the world—for in the world we are still completely dependent—it is just that without the obvious reminder of the umbilical cord, we so easily forget our total and complete dependence on God, our Creator, our Sustainer, and our Ultimate End.
Hence we find ourselves “knowing,” “telling,” and “paying a price.” When in reality, the only thing that we can somewhat even come close to taking credit for is being physically present to receive His Word, His Wisdom, and His Will. All of which come free of charge, His Son having already paid the price.
———
“Lord, let me place my knees to the earth. Let me feel the foot of the cross against the caps of my knees. Let me close my eyes and bow my head. Let my brow lay upon your bloodied feet. Let me humbly raise my eyes to gaze upon your battered body. Oh my Lord and my God, let your blood and water rain down upon me.”
Amen.
Howard Hain is a contemplative layman, husband, and father. He blogs at http://www.howardhain.com
Follow Howard on Twitter @HowardDHain
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by Orlando Hernandez
The readings for this Wednesday’s Mass are so precious. They illustrate our faith, our Church, and our ministries in such wonderful ways. Most of all, of course, they display the love and compassion that the All-Mighty God feels for us, and acts upon.
Today I will focus on the first reading from Isaiah. The prophet fills our hearts with hope:
“ On this mountain the Lord of hosts will provide for all peoples a feast of rich food and choice wines, juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines.”
(Is 25:6)
This “mountain” can mean so many things for us Christian Catholics. It certainly makes me think of the heights to which the Liturgy of the Mass can take us. I pray every day that more and more Catholics may give the Eucharist a second chance. The Lord of Hosts lovingly waits there for all of us, no matter how long we have been away from Him. On that blessed day when my life changed after so many sinful years, even after confession, I looked fearfully upon that risen Host. He beckoned me with such love! He is the one who gives us the chance! He provides a solemn but joyful feast. He feeds us individually with His very self, “rich food,” indeed.
For me the mountain can also be the place where we celebrate God’s love for us with family and friends, on Easter Sunday and Christmas Day
(which is right around the corner, bless God!), a festive, joyous time, with lots of food, laughter, and love. This is certainly true for many of us in our beautiful country, thank You Lord. But in so many places here and throughout the world, where loneliness, hopelessness, and hunger reigns, it is another story. Yet even in those places the compassion of God reaches many through the charitable work of so many good people who even risk their lives to feed and shelter the homeless, the displaced, the lost and lonely.
What about those for whom any kind of help is impossible? Where is their mountain? Isaiah goes on to say:
“On this mountain He will destroy the veil that veils all peoples, the web that is woven over all nations. He will destroy death forever. The Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces.” (Is 25: 7-8a)
This mountain is, in the end, found in a realm beyond our physical world. Do you believe? Do you believe in such a place? I do, and I know that I am not alone. So many of us have felt, so many times, such powerful waves of Divine Love, that no-one can convince us otherwise. There is hope, hope in a life of Eternal Bliss in the arms of our God: no more hunger, no more tears, no more bondage, no more death. He promised us.
Do we deserve this? I ask myself this question every day. And then I think of another mountain, a sad place, and yet the place of God’s Glory. On the crag of Golgotha Love itself was tortured and murdered by our human race. But this Love has resurrected and reigns from the Throne of Heaven. This Love is forever, and it is all-powerful in Its mercy and forgiveness. I trust in His Love, and, in repentance and humility, I worship Him, Jesus, my Lord and Savior, my Hero, my Friend, my Guide, my Spouse, the Word of God, Who “has spoken”.
The passage from Isaiah ends like this:
“The reproach of His people He will remove from the whole earth; for the Lord has spoken. On that day it will be said : ‘Behold our God, to whom we looked to save us! This is the Lord for whom we looked; let us rejoice and be glad that He has saved us!’ For the hand of the Lord will rest on this mountain.” (Is 25: 8b-9)
In action and prayer, may I strive, hand after hand, step by step, only with His help, to climb this Holy Mountain, so that His loving hand may also rest upon my heart.
Orlando Hernández
Paul Cézanne, “Bathers”, 1874-75, (The Met)
I’m Pro Art
In other words:
I’m Pro Truth
In other words:
I’m Pro Beauty
In other words:
I’m Pro Love
In other words:
I’m Pro Creation
In other words:
I’m Pro Life
(Oops, how’d that happen…funny how logic can lead you to such “un-expecting” places.)
(Words do seem to matter—or at least carry some weight—maybe even 7 pounds 8 ounces worth.)
(Before you panic, give it a little, teeny-weeny, infant-sized bit of thought…)
Conclusion:
ProArt (pro-creates) ProLife
ProLife (pre-conceives) ProArt
ProArt (equ=als) ProLife
Howard Hain is a contemplative layman, husband, and father. He blogs at http://www.howardhain.com
Follow Howard on Twitter @HowardDHain
If you enjoyed this post, please consider “liking” it, adding a comment, becoming an email subscriber, or passing it along via the social-media links below. Your support is greatly appreciated. Step by step. All for God’s glory.
Web Link: The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Paul Cézanne, “Bathers”, 1874–75
Readings:
Isaiah 2,1-5 All nations will come to this mountain
Matthew 8:5-11: The Roman centurion at Capernaum.
In 8th century Jerusalem Isaiah makes glowing promises about the holy mountain, Jerusalem– all people will come there. At the same time, Assyrian armies rumble into Palestine. “What are you talking about?” people say, “Can’t you see what’s at the door?”. But the prophet insists they will beat their swords into plowshares, their spears into pruning hooks and there will be no wars any more.
The prophet continues making outrageous promises. There will be a cloud by day and a fire by night over this holy mountain. The mountain’s moving, on an exodus of its own. Wonderful imagery for solid institutions, like churches and nations, that have been around for centuries. You’re still on the move, and God will guide you.
The Assyrians must have had the equivalent of the Roman centurions as the backbone of their armies. If you can get to them, you’ve got the army, military analysts would say. Powerful men, loyal soldiers. They could tell their troops: “Lay down your swords and spears,” and it would be done.
The Roman centurion in today’s gospel comes humbly before Jesus. “Lord, I am not worthy that you come under my roof, but say the word and my servant will be healed.” He comes with a faith not found in Israel.
The Messiah will touch the proud and the strong. The centurion is one of them.
Andrea Oliva Florenda, a professor at St. John’s University in Queens, New York, offered a day of reflection on Mary Gardens, December 1 at Bishop Molloy Retreat Center, Jamaica, New York. Professor Florenda teaches in the department of theology and religious studies at St. John’s, specializing in Marian theology. She’s also the designer and curator of the Marian Garden at the university.
Mary Gardens, dedicated to Mary, the Mother of Jesus, appeared in Europe following the Black Death, a pandemic that caused millions of deaths in that part of the world in the 14th century. The gardens, usually found in monasteries and religious shrines, brought hope to people walking “in the shadow of death.”
God placed Adam and Eve in a garden, Christian tradition says. (Genesis 2, 8-28) Rising from the dead, Jesus proclaimed eternal life in a garden. (John 20,11-18) For early and medieval Christians, Mary appeared as a garden enclosed, flowers, plants and trees surrounded her, “our life, our sweetness and our hope.” The Mary Garden, which became a favorite inspiration for medieval and renaissance artists, brought the promise of life to the “poor banished children of Eve.”
Does the Mary Garden have a role today in a world facing climate change and environmental degradation? Professor Florenda thinks it does. Besides the mysteries of faith, it teaches reverence for creation, for the soil, for plants that feed us and bring healing, for flowers that nourish our sense of beauty.
Certainly science and technology have a large part to play in the current environmental movement, but Professor Florenda notes the number of young people, from various religious tradition drawn to her Mary Garden at St. John’s, where the mysteries of seed and soil unfold, where pharmacy students study medicinal herbs and seasonal vegetables feed the poor.
The day of reflection on Mary Gardens ended at the grotto honoring Mary in the garden of Immaculate Conception Monastery in Jamaica. There, Professor Florenda spoke about the meaning of the grotto, its structure and the plants and trees surrounding it.
“There is a language in each flower,
that opens to the eye,
A voiceless but a magic power.
A prayer in earth’s blossoms lie.” Anonymous 
The Victor's Place 