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Listen to my Voice

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Right off the bat, in the readings today we are told, “I command my people, Listen to my voice.” Henri Nouwen addressed listening as spiritual hospitality in his book, “Bread for the Journey”, as he wrote:

“To listen is very hard because it asks of us so much interior stability that we no longer need to prove ourselves by speeches, arguments, statements, or declarations. True listeners no longer have an inner need to make their presence known. They are free to receive, to welcome, to accept.”

Listening is much more than allowing another to talk while waiting for a chance to respond. Listening is paying full attention to others and welcoming them into our very beings. The beauty of listening is that those who are listened to start feeling accepted, start taking their words more seriously and discovering their own true selves. Listening is a form of spiritual hospitality by which you invite strangers to become friends, to get to know their inner selves more fully, and even to dare to be silent with you.

Listening can be scary. Spiritual direction or spiritual companioning invites the Holy into the listening. I actively call on the Holy Spirit to be present during these special conversations. Listening is a way of tending to the Holy in our lives, our world.

There have been many times in my life when listening in silence has been extremely difficult. It seemed a constant litany of my troubles, faults, guilts plagued me. I did try to listen to his voice in other ways. I heard his voice in friends, strangers, movies, art, books, music, and nature. I still hear him in these places, as well as in scripture, liturgy, prayer, and in my heart when I am able to be silent.

St. Teresa of Calcutta connects listening and silence with these words: In the silence of the heart God speaks. If you face God in prayer and silence, God will speak to you. Then you will know that you are nothing. It is only when you realize your nothingness, your emptiness, that

God can fill you with Himself. Souls of prayer are souls of great silence.

To make possible true inner silence, practice:

Silence of the eyes, by seeking always the beauty and goodness of God everywhere, and closing them to the faults of others and to all that is sinful and disturbing to the soul.

Silence of the ears, by listening always to the voice of God and to the cry of the poor and the needy, and closing them to all other voices that come from fallen human nature, such as gossip, tale-bearing, and uncharitable words.

Silence of the tongue, by praising God and speaking the life-giving Word of God that is the truth, that enlightens and inspires, brings peace, hope, and joy; and by refraining from self-defense and every word that causes darkness, turmoil, pain, and death.

Silence of the mind, by opening it to the truth and knowledge of God in prayer and contemplation, like Mary who pondered the marvels of the Lord in her heart, and by closing it to all untruths, distractions, destructive thoughts, rash judgments, false suspicions of others, vengeful thoughts, and desires.

Silence of the heart, by loving God with our heart, soul, mind, and strength; loving one another as God loves; and avoiding all selfishness, hatred, envy, jealousy, and greed.

I shall keep the silence of my heart with greater care, so that in the silence of my heart I hear His words of comfort, and from the fullness of my heart I comfort Jesus in the distressing disguise of the poor. For in the silence and purity of the heart God speaks.” Mother Teresa

The refrain echos with, “If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.” Where do you hear his voice? Are you listening?  

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Beth is part of the customer care team at Diocesan. She brings a unique depth of experience to the group due to her time spent in education, parish ministries, sales and the service industry over the last 25 yrs. She is a practicing spiritual director as well as a Secular Franciscan (OFS). Beth is quick to offer a laugh, a prayer or smile to all she comes in contact with. Reach her here bprice@diocesan.com.

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How do I Return my Heart to the Lord

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It’s the second day of Lent; anyone besides me still wondering how to make it more meaningful (or significant)? There are many resources that can help with this: the USCCB, Franciscan, Busted Halo, and Ascension Presents just to name a few.

In this year’s Lenten blog, we have a theme: Return to me with your whole heart.

The reading from Deuteronomy speaks of what can happen to our hearts:

“If, however, you turn away your hearts and will not listen, but are led astray and adore and serve other gods, I tell you now that you will certainly perish; you will not have a long life on the land that you are crossing the Jordan to enter and occupy. I call heaven and earth today to witness against you: I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Choose life, then, that you and your descendants may live, by loving the LORD, your God,
heeding his voice, and holding fast to him.”  Deut 30:17-20

I’ve been working on returning my heart to the Lord over the last few years. I’m intentional in this phrasing because it’s been challenging dealing with past hurts and baggage from the sins of my youth and adulthood (as well as some repressed or forgotten memories). A byproduct of this process is me trying to get to confession at least every two months. My goal is once a month, but life happens and confession gets pushed back.

Typing this my inner voice shouts, “Are you kidding me?! You let these situations keep you from getting closer to your Lord?” I have to remember what a counselor said to me when I was sorting through the fresh debris of my divorce. “Be gentle with yourself,” she told me. I am more inclined to shake that off and reprimand myself. I do sin, daily, in my thoughts, in my words, what I’ve done, what I’ve failed to do.

In 1984, Pope John Paul II wrote an Apostolic Exhortation titled Reconciliation and Penance. It is a rich document that helps to remind us that reconciliation and penance is, “a means of purification, enrichment and deepening in personal faith. May it also be a leaven capable of encouraging the growth in the midst of the world of peace and brotherhood, hope and joy-values which spring from the Gospel as it is accepted, meditated upon and lived day by day after the example of Mary, mother of our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom it pleased God to reconcile all things to himself.”

As Pope, St. John Paul II went to confession on a daily basis. Mother Teresa went at least once a week. I have family members who haven’t been since the year they (or their children) were confirmed. My heart aches for them when I hear this because they haven’t experienced the healing forgiveness, grace, and love of our heavenly Father. I, too, have gone through times in my life when I have been ashamed or felt extreme guilt about going to confession. These feelings keep us from the healing graces available through the sacrament.

Fr. Mike Schmitz has some great tips about going in for reconciliation. “..honestly, the most important thing in going to Confession when you haven’t been for a while is: just go. I can’t tell you how many people walk in and say something like, “I haven’t been to Confession since second grade…” So we talk and I’ll walk them through it; the priest went to school for this…he knows you may get a little lost.” Here are a few suggestions to help prepare for the sacrament.

First: Get a good examination of conscience.

Second: Ask the Holy Spirit to help you be honest with yourself as you read through the Examination of Conscience.

Third: Find out when and where the next available Confession is held.

Fourth (optional): Write down what you want to confess. It is helpful if you have figured out what the sin is “called” and include the estimated number of times you committed that particular sin. Refer to the examination of conscience and if it’s a mortal or venial sin.

Five: Show up at a Confession location during the time for Confession (or make an appointment).

Six: Walk in, let the priest know what you’re up to. You can say, “Bless me, Father. It’s been XXX long since my last Confession. Here are my sins.” Or if you lose your train of thought and totally forget. You can tell him that too. “Father, I’ve totally blanked. How do I start?” I’ve also said, “I don’t know where to start. Will you help me through this?” Each of these is absolutely acceptable.

Seven: Listen to the priest and don’t be upset if his advice isn’t the most profound thing you’ve ever heard. He will give you something to do: penance. It’s supposed to help you take your next steps forward after Confession is over.

Eight: Leave the “Confession space” and do your penance and be joyful! Your sins have been forgiven!

Remember what Pope Francis said, “the sacrament of reconciliation is a sacrament of healing. Be courageous, and go to confession.”

If you have more questions check out Catholics come home.org

Contact the Author

Beth is part of the customer care team at Diocesan. She brings a unique depth of experience to the group due to her time spent in education, parish ministries, sales and the service industry over the last 25 yrs. She is a practicing spiritual director as well as a Secular Franciscan (OFS). Beth is quick to offer a laugh, a prayer or smile to all she comes in contact with. Reach her here bprice@diocesan.com.
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Wisdom

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The book of Sirach is one of the wisdom books in the bible. By its definition, wisdom is:

1.
a) the ability to discern inner qualities and relationships [insight], b) good sense [judgment], c) generally accepted belief, d) accumulated philosophical or scientific learning [knowledge].

2.
a wise attitude, belief, or course of action

3.
the teachings of the ancient wise men. (Merriam-Webster)

 

My pastor has said (and written about this many times), Wisdom is the comprehension of God and all things divine insofar as is humanly possible, allowing us to love as God loves. “Loving Spirit, you created us out of love so that we might live in your love always. Help me to seek and find you.”

Prudence is the ability to see reality objectively. The virtue then allows us to judge correctly what is right and what is wrong in any given situation. (Psalm 25:4-5) Fr. Jim Chelich

As I was praying with the first reading I got caught and stopped many a time, each effort either misreading or not understanding what was there. I absolutely read something totally different than the printed words or was so distracted by the environment around me that nothing made sense and I was lost. I could not see where I was going.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church says this about wisdom [prudence].

1806  Prudence is the virtue that disposes practical reason to discern our true good in every circumstance and to choose the right means of achieving it; ‘the prudent man looks where he is going.” (Prov 14:15) “Keep sane and sober for your prayers.” (1 Pet 4:7) Prudence is “right reason in action,” writes St. Thomas Aquinas, following Aristotle. (St. Thomas Aquinas, STh II, 47,2)… It is called the auriga virtutum (the charioteer of the virtues); it guides the other virtues by setting rule and measure. It is prudence that immediately guides the judgment of conscience. The prudent man determines and directs his conduct in accordance with his judgment. With the help of this virtue, we apply moral principles to particular cases without error and overcome doubts about the good to achieve and the evil to avoid.

I have to be mindful of and in my own doings and not be like the disciples  when they tried to stop someone else from doing good work because “he does not follow us.” Jesus is very direct. “There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me. For whoever is not against us is for us.” Mk 9:39-40

Keeping my focus on the work the Lord has for me instead of what I think needs doing  (aka CONTROL), is what I need to surrender. A truth rang through me when I came across this quote from Sr. Ilia Delio. She said, “Our Greatest sin in the modern age is to forget what we are by nature and what we are capable of becoming by grace,” Ilia Delio

May this search for His grace be our quest today. “Loving Spirit, you created us out of love so that we might live in your love always. Help me to seek and find you.”

Beth is part of the customer service team at Diocesan. She brings a unique depth of experience to the team from her time spent in parish ministries, sales and the service industry over the last 25 yrs. She is a practicing spiritual director as well as a Secular Franciscan (OFS). Beth is quick to offer a laugh, a prayer or smile to all she comes in contact with. Reach her here bprice@diocesan.com.

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The Veil Between

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Praying with today’s readings has me focusing on the letter from the Hebrews. Hospitality, prisoners, the ill-treated, married couples as well as the greedy, the immoral and adulterers–the whole gamut of life, both good and ill, is referenced.

It goes on to say to be content with what we have, ‘I will never forsake you or abandon you.’ This is said 3 other times in the bible; Deut 31:6, Joshua 1:5 and  Mt 28:20. We are told to say with confidence: The Lord is my helper, and I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me? Here is one of the 365 times the bible tells us not to be afraid, yet I catch myself being anxious and fearful about some aspect of life every day.

It seems these fears, depression, anxiety, and illnesses can act as a veil. It limits our focus or world view to just getting through the current situation affecting me. It can cloud my hope and my ability to feel the love or care being offered by companions, family, and friends.  

Recently, my pastor referred to the veil that separates heaven and earth. He emphasized that the veil dissolves during the liturgy of the Eucharist every single time Mass is offered. He stressed that we can see the Father’s love outpoured in the living sacrifice we receive in the body and blood of His Son.

It struck me that this veil is so similar to that of those affected by illness (mental or physical). Many in society see only the illness, not the person. I think of my family members who struggle with reclusiveness, alcoholism, narcissism, COPD, Lyme disease, cancer, anxiety, and so many other maladies. This veil can keep the truth hidden in each situation, by those directly affected and those who are looking to judge. Similarly, there are many in the world who do not see the Eucharist as Jesus’ physical body and blood. A veil is over their eyes to the truth.

Pope Francis spoke to the youth of the world (WYD 2016 & 2019) about praying the stations of the cross because the stations are not just for our Lenten journey. The following introduction to the Way of the Cross at the Colosseum 2013 begins, “The call to follow Christ is addressed to all, especially to the young and to those who are tried by division, wars or injustice and who fight to be signs of hope and builders of peace in the midst of their brethren.”

We contemplate you, Lord, along this path which you were the first to tread, and after which “you built a bridge to death with your Cross, so that men might pass from the land of death to the land of Life” (Saint Ephraim the Syrian, Homily).

Therefore, join me in placing ourselves before you with love, we present our sufferings to you, we turn our gaze and our heart to your Holy Cross, and strengthened by your promise, we pray: “Blessed be our Redeemer, who has given us life by his death. O Redeemer, realize in us the mystery of your redemption, through your passion, death, and resurrection” (Maronite Liturgy).

Beth is part of the customer service team at Diocesan. She brings a unique depth of experience to the team from her time spent in parish ministries, sales and the service industry over the last 25 yrs. She is a practicing spiritual director as well as a Secular Franciscan (OFS). Beth is quick to offer a laugh, a prayer or smile to all she comes in contact with. Reach her here bprice@diocesan.com.

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You Are in Good Company

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Has anyone ever told you that you’re crazy or out of your mind? You are in good company. Today’s gospel is two very short lines. In the second line, Jesus’ family said of him, “He is out of his mind.” Mk 3:21

During the three short years of ministry, Jesus was viewed as radical and unconventional. He performed miracles, healed on the Sabbath, forgave sins and taught about the Father’s unconditional love for all.

Jesus gave us the beatitudes which were quite controversial in his time (and still are today). I once read that we are to consider the beatitudes as the moral rules fleshed out for adults, while the 10 commandments are for our early foundation (formation as kids).  The beatitudes are controversial in the way they challenge us to think about and view or experience our universal human conditions. I came across a beautifully concise summary by Deacon Douglas McManaman that breaks the beatitudes down in ways I’ve not pondered before and challenges me in new ways.  

The Gospel acclamation charges us to ask God to “open our hearts, to listen to the words of (your) son.”Act 16:14 Our hearts (ears and minds) have to be open to hearing the words that the Father gave Jesus, so we too, can be good and faithful servants. How on earth are we going to do that? We have to be intentional with our actions and thoughts. We do have a silent assistant; we were given the Holy Spirit to help guide us on the Way.

“For this reason, I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control. So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord,” 2Tm1: 6-7  

Each and every one of us has been created with unique gifts to be shared with others for the glory of God our Father. You are not out of your mind if you stand up to a bully. You are not crazy if you give food to someone who has none. Helping to build water purifiers so people can have clean water to drink is being mindful. You are not crazy when you speak up about the sanctity of life. When you ask folks to come together to solve problems in spite of differing opinions of how things ‘should be done’, you are part of a solution.

Please pray with me. Spirit of wisdom and understanding, enlighten our minds to perceive the mysteries of the universe in relation to eternity. Spirit of right judgment and courage, guide us and make us firm in our baptismal decision to follow Jesus’ way of love. Spirit of knowledge and reverence, help us to see the lasting value of justice and mercy in our everyday dealings with one another. May we respect life as we work to solve the problems of family and nation, economy and ecology. Spirit of God, spark our faith, hope, and love into new action each day. Fill our lives with wonder and awe in your presence which penetrates all creation. Amen.

Beth is part of the customer service team at Diocesan. She brings a unique depth of experience to the team from her time spent in parish ministries, sales and the service industry over the last 25 yrs. She is a practicing spiritual director as well as a Secular Franciscan (OFS). Beth is quick to offer a laugh, a prayer or smile to all she comes in contact with. Reach her here bprice@diocesan.com.

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In the Line of Melchizedek

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Melchizedek. I admit that I signed up for this day so I could learn more about Melchizedek. It’s a technique I’ve been using since college. It forces me to learn new things and go out of my way to (hopefully) see things in a different light or achieve a shift in my focus and thought process. Friends and family insist I need to do this more frequently, as they find me a bit eccentric, but I correct them with eclectic, and we all laugh.

The first reading and the psalm speak of the order or in the line of Melchizedek. Melchizedek first appears in the bible in the book of Genesis (ch 14). It is the first time that someone is referred to as a priest of God Most High and the King of Peace (Salem or Shalom).

While researching, I found a really fascinating talk given by Dr. Scott Hahn that breaks this open. Melchizedek means righteous king in Hebrew. The King of Righteousness, the King of Shalom (peace). Does this ring any bells for you? It’s hard to miss these titles of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Now, let’s hold onto this thought and dive into today’s Gospel.

Today, we find Jesus and the man with the crippled hand. People are all around Jesus, wondering if he will cure on the Sabbath if he will ‘work’ on this holy day. If he does, Jesus is seen as a lawbreaker, which triggers the Pharisees search for a permanent way to silence his ‘heresy’.

Jesus is the first priest of the Catholic Church. Our priests today are all priests in the line of Melchizedek. Jesus is Divine and all knowing. He asked while on the cross for his Father to forgive, for we do not know what we do. Our priests are human and learn through trial and error as each of us does. We humans can learn from divine inspiration, the wisdom of others, through study, and experience. We each have the opportunity to invite others to learn of God’s love and forgiveness as well as experience it ourselves.

God’s love and forgiveness are available to each and every one of us. His love is unconditional. His forgiveness, grace, and mercy are too, however, we have to ask for it. Our priests through the grace and wisdom of the sacrament of Holy Orders they received when ordained are anointed to minister to all those on earth, not just a select few. The line of Melchizedek is continued on today in each of these men. Let us pray today for our priests with these words from Pope Benedict XVI:

Lord Jesus Christ, eternal High Priest, you offered yourself to the Father on the altar of the cross and through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit gave your priestly people a share in your redeeming sacrifice. Hear our prayer for the sanctification of our priests. Grant that all who are ordained to the ministerial priesthood may be ever more conformed to you, the Divine Master. May they preach the Gospel with pure heart and clear conscience. Let them be shepherds according to your own heart, single-minded in service to you and to the Church, and shining examples of a holy, simple, and joyful life. Through the prayers of the Blessed Virgin Mary, your Mother and ours, draw all priests and the flocks entrusted to their care to the fullness of eternal life where you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Beth is part of the customer service team at Diocesan. She brings a unique depth of experience to the team from her time spent in parish ministries, sales and the service industry over the last 25 yrs. She is a practicing spiritual director as well as a Secular Franciscan (OFS). Beth is quick to offer a laugh, a prayer or smile to all she comes in contact with. Reach her here bprice@diocesan.com.

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What Gift Do You Bring?

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Our readings today convey several interesting topics. Collectively, they touch on something that struck me from Matt’s reflection on Wednesday (January 2); “We encounter each person right where they are and love them, scars and all.” The end of today’s first reading says, “for God is greater than our hearts and knows everything.” The responsorial psalm calls us to, “cry out to God with joy, whose kindness and faithfulness endures forever.” The alleluia reinforces this saying to adore the Lord because of the great light that has come upon the earth. To me, all of this supports the fact that God sent Jesus to us because of His great love for us, all of us on earth (full of many scars and faults).

In his wisdom, God inspired many witnesses of his great love and faithfulness to humanity which comes through the writings and prophets of the Old Testament and is fulfilled in the Gospels and epistles of the Bible. We see this demonstrated in the Church writings and in the creed of our faith, which is noted today, as it is the twelfth day of Christmas. The twelve drummers represent the twelve points of belief in the Apostles’ Creed.

1.
I believe in one God,
the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all things visible and invisible.

2.
I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the Only Begotten Son of God,
born of the Father before all ages.
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father;
through him, all things were made.

3.
For us men and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary,
and became man.

4.
For our sake, he was crucified under Pontius Pilate,
he suffered death and was buried,

5.
and rose again on the third day
in accordance with the Scriptures.

6.
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

7.
He will come again in glory
to judge the living and the dead
and his kingdom will have no end.

8.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.

9. I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.

10.
I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins

11.
and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead

12.
and the life of the world to come. Amen

Today is also the memorial of St. John Neumann. St. John was quite a gifted and faithful witness of God. St. John Neumann had many challenges to overcome in his quest to become a priest even before he immigrated from Bohemia to America and Ellis Island dressed shabbily, not knowing the language and with a single dollar in his pocket. The following quote exemplifies what Matt was getting at; that each of us has a purpose and was created to be loved and to love others.

Everyone who breathes, high and low, educated and ignorant, young and old, man and woman, has a mission, has a work. We are not sent into this world for nothing; we are not born at random; we are not here, that we may go to bed at night and get up in the morning, toil for our bread, eat and drink, laugh and joke, sin when we have a mind, and reform when we are tired of sinning, rear a family and die. God sees every one of us; He creates every soul, …for a purpose. He needs, He deigns to need every one of us. He has an end for each of us; we are all equal in His sight, and we are placed in our different ranks and stations, not to get what we can out of them for ourselves, but to labor in them for Him. As Christ has worked, we too have but to labor in them for Him. As Christ has His work, we too have ours; as He rejoiced to do his work, we must rejoice in ours also. ~ St. John Neumann

Sit with this today. What is the work you rejoice in to do for the Lord? Think about what your gift can be to the Lord on this eve of the Epiphany. The little drummer boy had his work of music for the Lord. How are you to be a witness to and for God?

Beth Price is a Secular Franciscan (OFS) and spiritual director who has worked in several parish ministry roles during the last 20 years. She is a proud mother of 3 adult children. Beth currently works at Diocesan. You can contact her at bprice@diocesan.com.

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Jesus is Alive

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“For the life was made visible; we have seen it and testify to it…we proclaim now to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; for our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We are writing this so that our joy may be complete.” [Jn 1: 2-4]

Today’s readings call to us, charging us to rejoice and proclaim the glory of God the Father and God the Son! St. John the Apostle could not have a better feast day to recognize his dedication, faith and calling to the Way. John proclaimed to all the world that Jesus is alive and among us.

I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture…I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. Jn 10:9-11

The gospel today takes us to the scene at Jesus’ tomb. It is the profound reminder of the good shepherd laying his life down for each and every one of us. Jesus came into the world as the ultimate gift and sacrifice; all manifested through the unconditional love of God for humanity.

On this third day of Christmas, I feel like singing Hallelujah from the rooftops. My kids advise me otherwise. Instead, listen to the Royal Choral Society or a gospel version by Quincy Jones sing Hallelujah. May your celebration of Christmas continue to be blessed.

Beth Price is a Secular Franciscan (OFS) and spiritual director who has worked in several parish ministry roles during the last 20 years. She is a proud mother of 3 adult children. Beth currently works at Diocesan. You can contact her at bprice@diocesan.com.

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Feast of St. Nicholas

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The readings today speak of our trust and faith in the Lord. Both instruct us to have our Rock of faith as the Lord and keep our foundations in solidarity with Him, otherwise our houses, our lives will collapse. “Only the one who does the will of my Father will enter the Kingdom of heaven.” It is a great line to focus on this Advent, as we re-align ourselves with the will of our Father in heaven.

St. Nicholas of Myra, (280-343 AD), whose feast we celebrate today, is a wonderful example of keeping focused on the Lord. St. Nicholas is revered in both the Eastern and Western Church and was well known as a saint, long before Saints were officially approved by the Church (which began in the late 8th century). Read about this little-known fact of the Secret Santa here.

There are many legends attributed to this beloved Saint. When my children were young, I told them to leave their shoes by the door on the eve of the feast of St. Nicholas, which is a popular tradition in Europe. In this narrative, St. Nick places chocolates, fruits or small gifts in the shoes.

Looking at prayers to St. Nicholas, I find myself drawn to this one. It sets a nice tone to the joyful season of Advent. May you be reminded of it every time you see a candy cane and smile or share with others the blessing.

Feast of St. Nicholas Day Candy Cane Blessing Prayer

Good St. Nicholas, we honor you
on this your holy feast day.
We rejoice that you are the patron saint
and the holy symbol of joy
for many peoples of many lands.

Come, great-hearted saint,
and be our patron and companion
as we, once again, prepare our homes and hearts
for the great feast of Christmas,
the birth of the Eternal Blessing, Jesus Christ.

May these sweets, these candy canes,
be a sign of Advent joy for us.
May these candy canes,
shaped just like your Bishop’s staff,
be for us a sign of your benevolent care.

We rejoice that you are the holy bringer of gifts
and that so many have been delighted
through your great generosity.
Help us to be as generous of heart.

Wherever these candy canes are hung,
on tree or wall or door,
may they carry with them
the bright blessing of God.
May all who shall taste them
experience the joy of God
upon their tongues and in their hearts.

We ask God, now, to bless
these your brightly striped sweets
in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Beth Price is a Secular Franciscan (OFS) and spiritual director who has worked in several parish ministry roles during the last 20 years. She is a proud mother of 3 adult children. Beth currently works at Diocesan. You can contact her at bprice@diocesan.com.

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Christ Has No Body But Yours

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The Tuesday before Thanksgiving finds many folks in the USA preparing on multiple levels. While some are getting grocery shopping done so a feast may be readied, others are cleaning in order to welcome family and friends into their homes. I will travel to be with family this evening, as my adult children have more families and friends to visit within the upcoming days. I count myself blessed to be able to share some time with each of these special people and thank God for placing them in my life.

There are many who are not as blessed. They do not have a bed to call their own, nor do they know where or when the next meal will come. They do not have warm clothing or shelter to keep the chill of winter at bay. They may not have a family to help or the means to assist them in their current situation. They may be too proud to ask for assistance, as I myself am prone to be. They may not be aware of how to get assistance that is there for the asking. There are many who grumble that people need assistance. There are some who feel those in need haven’t done enough for themselves and that’s why they are in need.

The readings today stir all that in me. We find in the first reading those who are good, but not always aware of what’s going on around them, not having the ears to hear the Spirit. Also noted are those who are lukewarm, who do not realize they are wretched and will be spit from God’s mouth unless they repent. Lastly, the Lord tells us that he is knocking at the door. It says those who hear his voice he will join in their home and dine with them. It ends with, “Whoever has ears ought to hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”  The Gospel tells the story of Zacchaeus in the tree wanting to see Jesus and next welcoming Jesus into his home after being told by Jesus that he would be dining with Zacchaeus that evening. Those around grumbled amongst themselves, knowing the kind of person Zacchaeus was. Jesus closes with, “Today salvation has come to this house because this man too is a descendant of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and save the lost.”

Ya, so what’s your point, you ask? My point is for we who grumble, who are lukewarm. God wants us to hear His voice. He wants us to repent and do the right thing. He wants us to stop grumbling, to stop playing it safe while taking care of our immediate surroundings. We are all connected through Him: all peoples, nations, all of creation. I hear St. Teresa of Avila, Doctor of the Church saying:

Christ Has No Body

Christ has no body but yours,

No hands, no feet on earth but yours,

Yours are the eyes with which he looks

Compassion on this world,

Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good,

Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world.

Yours are the hands, yours are the feet,

Yours are the eyes, you are his body.

Christ has no body now but yours,

No hands, no feet on earth but yours,

Yours are the eyes with which he looks

compassion on this world.

Christ has no body now on earth but yours.

Beth Price is a Secular Franciscan (OFS) and spiritual director who has worked in several parish ministry roles during the last 20 years. She is a proud mother of 3 adult children. Beth currently works at Diocesan. You can contact her at bprice@diocesan.com.

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Finding Inner Peace

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We have 3 short passages from the Bible today. As I sit with them, I realize that I have found my peace, just as our psalm today asks us to respond. Hmmm…That has not been true during most of my life, being at peace. “Something is different about you. You seem at peace,” I have heard only recently, over the last few years.

The responsorial psalm says it well for me, “I have stilled and quieted my soul like a weaned child. Like a weaned child on its mother’s lap, so is my soul within me.”  So how do I get there and stay there?

Something that resonates with me comes from one of my spiritual giants, St. Teresa of Calcutta. Mother Teresa said that peace begins with a smile. Her service to others, being present to them in whatever circumstance, has been a beautiful witness for me to strive for, but don’t misinterpret me here. I will probably never encounter abject poverty as she did in Calcutta. I do, however, have opportunities all around me if I choose to see them.

I seem to have gotten ahead of myself though, (which is usually how I come to most of my understandings, a very circuitous route (like Dennis the Menace).

I have learned I must put into my schedule things which force me to slow down, or learn through much trial and error, that the whole world still continues without me. I don’t have to schedule something during what would usually be personal family time, even if it’s something really good.

One way I’ve learned to make time was finding a spiritual director when I began parish work in the late ‘90s. Having a spiritual director allows me time to sit with, struggle and/or notice movements of God and the Holy Spirit in my life. These conversations have graced me by looking at situations with new eyes. They have been oasis times in the chaos of my daily life.

I offer you the following to think about where you find your inner peace.

The Giving Tree  On Being Useless  Shalom (the peace of the kingdom of God be with you).

Beth Price is a Secular Franciscan (OFS) and spiritual director who has worked in several parish ministry roles during the last 20 years. She is a proud mother of 3 adult children. Beth currently works at Diocesan. You can contact her at bprice@diocesan.com. 

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The Guest House

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I really like St. Peter. His question in today’s Gospel gives me much hope. He, as I so often do, has to ask the obvious: is this just for us or for everyone? Yes and yes! Jesus, as he was prone to do, gives Peter and the disciples yet another parable. Oh, how I long for a straight answer to prayer requests or what path I am to take. Free will. Is it really that important? Is it overrated? I occasionally struggle with decisions, both big and small. Why can’t God point me in the right direction?! The bigger point here may be that I’m such a whiner and complainer!

Jesus flat out tells us that he has made us the stewards of the master’s servants. It is up to us to keep things going according to his will (through the precepts in the 10 Commandments and the Beatitudes). He has given us the Holy Spirit, Sacraments and the Bible to help guide, nourish and inspire us on our journey. Even with all this support, I can find myself stymied, confused, distracted and dazed during my daily life.

While I was going through my divorce, I moved into a condo and started working two new (simultaneous) part-time jobs in the space of 3 months. I was emotionally, mentally and physically drained. I was operating on autopilot. When December rolled around just 2 months later, a great friend called saying a coworker had just been thrown out of her home and needed a place to stay. She knew my high schooler had not moved in with me and I had an open bedroom. I took a deep breath and said yes to this idea of a woman who I knew vicariously through my friend, so she could move in with me. She came to my home that evening, with a suitcase and a couple of boxes hastily thrown together.

I start a batch of cookies. The doorbell rings. My heart breaks for her and the drama she’s going through. My own soul starts to heal by feeling useful to another on a deeply personal level. I know her struggle of being displaced. I can focus on being available and just doing or providing little things: access to a washer & dryer, bed, food, stove & fridge, a cat to pet, a familiar couch & chair (generously shared with me during my own transition) to curl up on.

“That servant who knew his master’s will but did not make preparations nor act in accord with his will shall be beaten severely, and the servant who was ignorant of his master’s will but acted in a way deserving of a severe beating shall be beaten only lightly. Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still, more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.” Lk 12:47-48 Was Jesus talking about situations like the above, or helping to take care of creation in my part of the country, or the dignity of life of the elderly or those with no one to help them in any given circumstance in life?

A friend recently shared this with me. I offer it to you so that you, too, can prepare for guests.

The Guest House

This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they are a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.
The dark thought, the shame, the malice.
meet them at the door laughing and invite them in.
Be grateful for whatever comes.
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.
— Jellaludin Rumi

Beth Price is a Secular Franciscan (OFS) and spiritual director who has worked in several parish ministry roles during the last 20 years. She is a proud mother of 3 adult children. Beth currently works at Diocesan. You can contact her at bprice@diocesan.com.