I did not make my evening post yesterday, but this being a vacation and allโฆ yeah.
Day two was remarkable. I was able to get out and begin to discover the city and the food. When I left the apartment, I was on a mission that brought me hereโฆ
The Arco da Rua Augusta located on the banks of the Tagus River. The far shore was enshrouded in fog, so you get the artistic shot of the day.
From here, I followed the river banks and then turned into the city toward Se Cathedral of Lisbon, whichโfrom the outsideโresembles more of a castle than a church.
Over the yearsโit was built in the 12th century!!โit has suffered damage from several earthquakes, but each time, the people of Lisbon work to restore its beauty. So far, the churches in Lisbon are far more austere than those of Florence and Rome. In their architecture and appointments, they indicate strength. They are definitely places the crusaders would have felt at home. Inside is quite the same, with many side chapels adorned and beautiful statues. I plan to attend church here on Sunday.
Dear Altar Guild – Wondering if you could hook a brother up (just donโt tell the Bishop!) This is the dressing chamber of the Patriarch.
Finally, the view from outside on the ledge below the rose window.
The tour of the cathedral is said to take 40 minutesโฆ well, after spending two and a half hours poking around every corner, I was hungry. I wandered the streets near the cathedral and found Restaurante Ruca, which instead of being filled with tourists, was filled with locals. Began with a creamy seafood soup, followed by baked cod, new potatoes, and cabbage. I had the meal with sparkling water, a nice glass of port wine, and finished with an expresso.
After lunch, it was time for another church: Igreja Sao Domingos, Church of St. Dominic. Work on the church began in 1241 and was completed in 1748. It is a church of great history and great tragedy. Between various earthquakes and a massive fire in 1959, it is a miracle that it is still standing. It is beautiful, just the same.
I was a few โHail Marysโ away from finishing my Rosary when I had a coughing spell and had to leave. It is distant, but you can still smell the smoke from the fire, and there is still evidence of those flames. Touch the door, and your hand will come away black.
From here, I made my way back to the apartment and had plans for a light supper and then back out to experience the lights, but then I met a Sikh. In this case, Sandeep (I believe I have his name correct) is the Sikh I met at the Deep Ink Zone Tattoo only a few steps from my apartment. I asked if I could set up an appointment and was told, โHow about tonight?โ For eight hours, my Sikh friend never lost focus. It was 4 a.m. when I finished up, so I will be out seeing the lights tonight.
I began my travels at 5:30 a.m. Sunday morning. I arrived at the VRBO twenty-eight hours later. Iโm pretty sure day one would have gone much better if I had been able to sleep on any of the three flights, but as it wasโฆ barely a wink.
My first flight was delayed by an hour, but that was OK. For the life of me I couldnโt figure out why they had be go to Salt Lake City and then to Rome, instead of flying east, but as it turns outโฆ weโll just call it providence. Last I heard, because of the winter storm โbombโ, there were over 1,400 flights cancelled. Salt Lake had to wait for a plane to arrive, but otherwise, I flew over all the mess below. Hereโs a shot flying over the Rockies and then another of Mormon Central as I landed in Salt Lake. (I can never get good pics looking out a plane window.)
After a few hours, I caught the flight to Rome, which was a little over nine hours. Not much to report there. Listened to a book, watched a movie, and stared into space (while trying to sleep.) I looked for the Eiffel Tower as I was flying into Rome, but maybe itโs not lit up at 1 a.m. Maybe you can find in the photo below.
I searched for some M&Ms while in Rome, but it appears to be an M&M free zone, so I had to settle for some of the finest chocolate Iโve ever put in my mouth. When in the Rome airport, if you need something to cheer you up a bit, I can highly recommend this. You wonโt be disappointed.
After another short delay due to weather, it was time for the final leg of the travels. Below is youโll see the coastline of Portugal and a quick shot I took of the Cristo Rei. Iโll take the ferry across the Tagus River and see it properโฆ probably a day trip. Look at the clouds rolling overโฆ so pretty.
And then there was Lisbonโฆ
For the next two hours, I thought I had made a terrible mistake by trying this on my own. I got seriously lost. Fortunately I was not conscripted by the Russain army.
Iโm not sure if it is Google Maps not working well here or cellular data not so good, either wayโฆ I took the right subway out of the airport, but then missed the connecting stop. I did not know there was a connecting stop, so I rode awhile. I apparently looked lost because a very kind lady told me it was the end of the line. I said, โThank you,โ and got off instead of riding back and starting again. I thought, โHey. Google Maps will get me where I need to go.โ It did not.
I wandered for about an hour and a half trying to figure things out. I called my carrier, attempting to get data working. I ended up aimlessly walking about. Keep in mind that Iโm on about twenty-six hours and no sleep and havenโt had anything to eat in quite some time. I could not reach my host (he actually had emailed me instructions, butโฆ yepโฆ no data!)
I eventually found a policemanโhe did not speak English, and I did not see a name badge that I recognized, but if I gave him a name, it would be Angel. I explained my situation, and he listened. I showed him the hotel name where I was to meet my host. I asked/mimed if he could walk, and he said, โNo.โ The wrong train had gotten me about six miles from where I was supposed to be. Ugh. He was trying to direct me back to the proper subway, but my only word was, โTaxi.โ Angel walked me to a main street, flagged me a cab, told the driver where I needed to go, and stayed until I was off. Thank you, Angel.
Fifteen minutes later, I was deposited in front of the meeting place, and twenty minutes later, I met my host, Andre Fonesca. Andre has hooked me up with a fantastic apartment and helped me to learn how to get around. He has provided maps, places to see, etc. I donโt have access to Google Maps, but Andre gave me great confidence to head out and see this beautiful city. It isnโt all that difficult to get around once youโve got the lay of the land, and if all else fails, Iโll call a cab and be set.
Last night, I slept thirteen hours. At some point, a young couple got into it for a bit, but they didnโt bother me. It was cool, and then it started to rain. With the windows open, it doesnโt get much better.
Andre told me that the cruise ships arrive in the mornings and drive around with about fifteen busloads of folks, so it is best to go to some of the more popular places after lunch. That works for me because I really want to see this city at night. They have such amazing lights throughout.
For now, Iโm signing off, but I will update you all this evening. With my trusty map, Iโm headed outโฆ
Every trip must begin somewhere, and this one begins in a hotel room in OKC. Iโm making a few notes in the journal and trying to see how long I can make a bag of M&Ms last (based on the current consumption rate, it is not very long.)
As it is Christmas Day, everything is closed, including the restaurant and bar in the hotel, so I had a turkey sandwich from the snack area and itโll do just fine. Glad that folks can be home with their families. (FYIโฆ the M&Ms are gone.)
The current adventure begins bright and early tomorrow morning. OKC to Salt Lake City to Rome to Lisbon. This time tomorrow I should be close to crossing the US coastline and over the Atlantic. Most of the trip will be spent in Lisbon, but I do have a few day excursions, one of which will take me to Fatima. There are so many other things to see that I wonโt try and list them here, so follow along and Iโll share the journey with you.
This is my first adventure like this alone and Iโve only been on one other, so if you get a call from me and Iโve somehow been conscripted into the Russian army, then youโll know that I made a wrong turn somewhere.
The Virgin with Angels, also known as The Song of the Angels by William-Adolphe Bouguereau
An elderly man in Phoenix calls his son in New York and says, โI hate to ruin your day, but I have to tell you that your mother and I are divorcing; forty-five years of misery is enough.โ
โPop, what are you talking about?โ the son screams.
“We can’t stand the sight of each other any longer,” the old man says. “We’re sick of each other, and I’m sick of talking about this, so you call your sister in Chicago and tell her,” and he hangs up.
Frantic, the son calls his sister, who explodes on the phone.
โThey’re not getting divorced if I have anything to do about it,โ she shouts, โI’ll take care of this.โ
She calls Phoenix immediately and screams at the old man, โYou are NOT getting divorced. Don’t do a single thing until I get there. I’m calling my brother back, and we’ll both be there tomorrow. Until then, don’t do a thing, DO YOU HEAR ME?โ and hangs up.
The elderly man hangs up his phone, turns to his wife, and says, โOkay, they’re coming for Thanksgivingโฆ now what do we tell them for Christmas?โ
When it comes to being together, we can go to a great extentโanything from traveling long distances to manipulating the circumstancesโwhatever it takes. St. Paul speaks to us about being the Body of Christ, but being together is even more than that.
Maybe you remember from school Maslowโs Hierarchy. It is the pyramid that breaks down the various needs in our lives. At the top are the physiological needs: air, food, sleep, and the like. Next are the safety needs: health, security, etc. And immediately following this is our need for belonging and being lovedโthe need for others.
There are many, myself included, who can spend extended periods of time by themselves, but eventually, even the greatest of loners need companionship. We see this even in God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Richard of St. Victor has a beautiful explanation of why God is a Trinity of PersonsโI wonโt bore you with the details tonightโbut it is based on love and this need, even for God, to have relationship.
The relationship between the Holy Trinity is perfect, but we know that our relationships, even the very best, are far from perfect. They tend to be messy. If that is the case, God is perfect, and we are messy, then why would he bother becoming one of us?
We read tonight that as the shepherds were tending their flocks, an angel of the Lord appeared to them and said, โDo not be afraid; for see– I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.โ The angel announced the birth of God into the world.
Jesusโ birth will ultimately bring about our salvationโeternal life with God in that Heavenly Kingdom, but what about in the meantime? From the day we are born to the day we die? Why would God, who is in a perfect relationship, choose to enter into our lives and become a part of our far from perfect, messy relationships? Itโs not like God needed us. So, why?
OSur relationship with God was wrecked in the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve took a bite of that apple, but it was fully restored with the birth of Jesus. It was restored so that we can always be with Him, whether we are alone or with others. God humbled himself to be bornโnot because he needed us, but because we need Himโฆ and He knows it.
Henri Nouwen writes, โGod came to us because he wanted to join us on the road, to listen to our story, and to help us realize that we are not walking in circles but moving towards the house of peace and joy. This is the great mystery of Christmas that continues to give us comfort and consolation: we are not alone on our journey. The God of love who gave us life sent his only Son to be with us at all times and in all places, so that we never have to feel lost in our struggles but always can trust that he walks with usโฆ. Christmas is the renewed invitation not to be afraid and to let himโwhose love is greater than our own hearts and minds can comprehendโbe our companion.โ (You Are the Beloved, p.391)
Tonight, we light the Christ candle.
โIn the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.โ
Jesus is this lightโฆ our lightโฆ shining in the darkness. He came, as Nouwen told us, โbecause he wanted to join us on the roadโ to โbe our companion.โ Jesus said, โI am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.โ Jesus came to join us on the road of our lives. To beโnot โaโ light, but the light that guides us. He also came to give us this light of himself so that we could become โchildren of light.โ (1 Thessalonians 5:5)
Tonight, I invite you to step out of the darkness and walk with Jesus on the road. Iโve no idea where God will lead you in this life, but I do know the final destination, which is what the journey is ultimately all about, for he will be with us now so that we can be with him then, having eternal life in Our Fatherโs Heavenly Kingdom.
โDo not be afraid; for seeโthis is good news of great joy for all people: for us was born in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lordโฆ the Light of all who call on his name.โ
Let us pray: Gracious and loving Father, you make this holy night radiant with the splendor of Jesus Christ our light. We welcome him as Lord, the true light of the world. Bring us to eternal joy in the kingdom of heaven, where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
A new soldier was on sentry duty at the main gate of a military installation. His orders were clear. No car was to enter unless it had a special sticker on the windshield. A big Army car came up with a general seated in the back. The sentry said, โHalt, who goes there?โ
The chauffeur, a corporal, said, โGeneral Wheeler.โ
โIโm sorry, I can’t let you through. You’ve got to have a sticker on the windshield.โ
The general said to the chauffeur, โDrive on!โ
The sentry said, โHold it! You really can’t come through. If anyone attempts to drive in without a sticker, I have orders to shoot.โ
The general barked at the chauffeur, โIโm telling you, son, drive on!โ
The sentry walked up to the driverโs window and said quietly to the chauffeur, โIโm new at this. Do I shoot you or the general?โ
One article states, โWe each have a uniquely valuable perspective on lifeโa lens through which we interpret our lives. Through our perspective, we define what makes sense to us, which is differentiated from how others see and experience life.โ (Source) From the generalโs perspective, the world was at his command, and he could do what he wanted regardless of the rule. However, the chauffeurโs perspective was likely considerably different at that moment. The lens through which he was interpreting the situation was the barrel of a gun.
The perspectives we hold are formed by many factorsโenvironment, age, situation, knowledge, etc.โso our perspective is a combination of all these things and is something that is learned over timeโaccording to the articleโโOur perspective is arguably the single greatest aspect of our uniqueness.โ Our fingerprints are as unique as each individual snowflake, and so are our perspectives.
Whatโs interesting is when our perspectiveโthe lens through which we view the worldโencounters faith. For example, consider St. Peter.
The disciples are crossing the sea in their boat when they see Jesus walking on the water. At first, they are terrified, but then Jesus identifies himself, โTake heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.โ Hearing this, Peter says, โLord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.โ And Jesus said, โCome.โ And we know that Peter had faith, got out of the boat, and walked on the water, but then his perspective changed: โwhen he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, โLord, save me.โโ I firmly believe that Jesus laughed heartily when he said to soaking-wet Peter, โO you of little faith, why did you doubt?โ
From his perspective, Peter, a fisherman who grew up working on the water, walking on water was impossible, yet through faithโat least for a few stepsโPeter held a different perspective. Through faith, what he perceived to be impossible, was suddenly possible. When he reverted to his original perspectiveโdoubtโhe sank, but for those few steps, there was faith.
If it was night and all the lights were out, and these four candles were all the light in the room, someโs perspectives would still only show them darkness even though there was light.ย They would see shadows in the corners and blackness under and behind objects. Yet others would see the hope of light. Even if the darkness were vast around them, they would see the light as a way forward. And many others would see both. Fear of the dark, but thankful there is at least a little light to keep some of the darkness at bay. You and I are somewhere on that spectrum. It depends on our perspective, but more importantly, it depends on our faith.
We read of Joseph in our Gospel lesson. Mary was found to be with child before they were married. He had not been with her, so he assumed another man had, so he planned to call off the wedding. Joseph was a kind man, but even so, he was not prepared to be with someone who had been unfaithful. Joseph looked around him and saw the dark and the shadows, and then the angel of the Lord came to him in a dream and said, โJoseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife.โ Joseph was shown the light but was his perspective going to change, or would he remain afraid of the darkโwhat will others say? How can I ever trust her? Was I really only dreaming and so many more shadows? Yet, another variable came to bear when he woke from his sleep: faith. Through faith, his perspective changed, and โhe did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife.โ
There is a story about a train traveling through the night in a violent rainstorm.
The lightning flashes were almost blinding, the rain hitting the windows was deafening, and the strong gust winds rocked the train from side to side.
The passengers could see the rising water along the tracks when the lightning flashed and lit up the darkness.
The engineerโthe driver of the trainโ was unaware, but the storm and rising water created great terror in the minds of the passengers, so the engineer just kept going.
Several passengers noticed that through all the noise, lightning, and wind, one of the passengers, a little girl, seemed to be at perfect peace.
The adult passengers couldn’t figure out why she was so calm. Finally, one passenger asked her, โHow can you be so calm when all the rest of us are so worried about what might happen?โ
The girl smiled and said, โMy father is the engineer.โ
Storms. Lightning. Rising waters. Darkness. Shadows. Death. Fear. โMy father is the engineer.โ Faith.
Joseph experienced those same fears, that darkness, but when he awoke, he had faith and said in his heart, โMy father is the engineer.โ Faith changed his perspective.
In the opening verses of his Gospel, St. John wrote, โThe true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. HeโJesusโwas in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.โ
Jesus, the true Light, came into the world, but manyโeven though they saw this lightโcontinued to see shadows and darkness all around them. Those with faith received him and became children of God.
Iโm not Pollyanna. I am very much aware of the shadows and darkness around us, but we cannot spend our lives dwelling in it. We must, through faith, change our perspective and see this light that has come into the world. It will not eradicate the darkness, but it will show us the way through the dark valley unto the Kingdom of our Godโฆ but not just that. It will also show us the way to the Kingdom of our God that is made manifest today, for his name is Emmanuel, which does not mean โGod will be with us.โ No. His name is Emmanuel, which means โGod is with us.โ And His Father is the Engineer.
Let us pray: Father in heaven, our hearts desire the warmth of your love, and our minds are searching for the light of your Word. Increase our longing for Christ our Savior and give us the strength to grow in love, that the dawn of his coming may find us rejoicing in his presence and welcoming the light of his truth. We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord. Amen.
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St. John of the Cross died on this day in 1591 at the age of 49. He was a true friend and contemporary of Teresa of Avila. Together, they worked to reform the Carmelite order, which they were a part of, enforcing a much stricter application of the rule. All did not appreciate that enforcement, and John was persecuted and eventually imprisoned byโnot the authorities, but by fellow monks who disagreed with him.
His life is an example to us, but the writings he left behind are perhaps his greatest gifts. Of these, he is best know for, Dark Night of the Soul. It began with the writing of a poem, but then he was asked by fellow monksโthose who did not want to throw into prisonโto write a commentary explaining the work. The commentary of the first three stanzas of eight is all that remains (if there ever was more) and is practical in its approach to prayer.
Today, I would like to share the poem with you. Many translations are available; Iโm not sure who gave us this one. When reading the poem, think of prayer. Think of entering into a place of darkness where without light, the fire burning in your heart is your guide that leads you to union with God. Once with God, it is not about speaking to Him but being with him.
Into the darkness of the night With heart ache kindled into love, Oh blessed chance! I stole me forth unseen, My house being wrapped in sleep.
Into the darkness, and yet safe By secret stair and in disguise, Oh gladsome hap! In darkness, and in secret I crept forth, My house being wrapt in sleep.
Into the happy night In secret, seen of none, Nor saw I ought, Without, or other light or guide, Save that which in my heart did burn.
This fire it was that guided me More certainly than midday sun, Where he did wait, He that I knew imprinted on my heart, In place, where none appeared.
Oh Night, that led me, guiding night, Oh Night far sweeter than the Dawn; Oh Night, that did so then unite The Loved with his Beloved, Transforming Lover in Beloved.
On my blossoming breast, Alone for him entire was kept, He fell asleep, Whilst I caressed, And fanned him with the cedar fan.
The breeze from forth the battlements, As then it tossed his hair about, With his fair hand He touched me lightly on the neck, And reft me of my senses in a swoon.
I lay quite still, all mem’ry lost, I leaned my face upon my Loved One’s breast; I knew no more, in sweet abandonment I cast away my care, And left it all forgot amidst the lilies fair.
Jesus said, โI still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.โ If we are to hear and know those things the Spirit would teach us, then in prayer, we must follow the flame of our heart, which will guide us into that union with God where we can learn even more about our Savior.
This devotional was for The Episcopal Church of the Resurrection’s annual Advent Devotional series.
Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called the Passover. And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to put him to death, for they feared the people.
Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them. And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of a crowd.
Then came the day of Unleavened Bread, on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. So Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, โGo and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat it.โ They said to him, โWhere will you have us prepare it?โ He said to them, โBehold, when you have entered the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him into the house that he enters and tell the master of the house, โThe Teacher says to you, Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?โ And he will show you a large upper room furnished; prepare it there.โ And they went and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover.
-Luke 22:1-13 (ESV)
Prepare
The Passover that Jesus asked John and Peter to prepare for is the greatest of festivals during the Jewish year. It is a memorial of the night when the tenth plague swept through Egypt, killing all the firstborn of the Egyptians but โpassing overโ the Jews. In the process of establishing the festival (Exodus 12), God gave the Jews several laws on how to prepare for and celebrate the festival in the subsequent years. For example, one of these laws prescribed the removal of all leaven from the home. Over the centuries, these laws became more strict and codified, leaving no room for error. Not all are as fastidious as others in adhering to the requirements, yet one author reports, โWe have a pious friend in Israel who airs out every book in her home in case there should be any bread crumbs in them.โ (Source)
Although not prescribed by Holy Scripture, the Church has established two seasons of preparation: Advent and Lent. In Advent, we prepare to celebrate Jesusโ birth and to prepare for his second coming, and in Lent, we prepare to celebrate Christโs victory over death. With regard to Advent, Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote, โThere are only two places where the powerful and great in this world lose their courage, tremble in the depths of their souls, and become truly afraid. These are the manger and the cross of Jesus Christ.โ (God Is in the Manger: Reflections on Advent and Christmas, p.26) If that be the caseโwhich it should be!โthen we should not enter lightly into our encounter with him in the manger, but instead, we should seek out the โold leaven, the leaven of malice and evilโ (1 Corinthians 5:8) and prepare our hearts so that we might humbly kneel before our Lord and King.
In 2008, during his general audience, John Paul II said,
The liturgy of Advent, filled with constant allusions to the joyful expectation of the Messiah, helps us to understand the fullness of the value and meaning of the mystery of Christmas. It is not just about commemorating the historical event, which occurred some 2,000 years ago in a little village of Judea. Instead, we must understand that our whole life should be an “advent”, in vigilant expectation of Christ’s final coming. To prepare our hearts to welcome the Lord who, as we say in the Creed, will come one day to judge the living and the dead, we must learn to recognize his presence in the events of daily life. Advent is then a period of intense training that directs us decisively to the One who has already come, who will come and who continuously comes. (Source)
As we โprepare our hearts to welcome the Lord, let us heed the words of St. Paul: โExamine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselvesโ ( 2 Corinthians 13:5a), and cleanse yourself of the โold leaven.โ
Jesus said to Peter and John, โGo and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat it.โ In like manner, go and prepare yourselves so that โat his coming, [he] may find in usโin youโa mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.โ (Collect for the Fourth Sunday of Advent)
Today is actually the Feast day of Ambrose of Milan, but yesterday was the Feast Day of Nicholas of Myra, and I couldnโt pass up on olโ St. Nick. He was persecuted under Emperor Diocletian and was most likely one of the Bishops at the Council of Nicea in 325. While there, he is reported to have boxed the ears of a heretic. He is the patron saint of sailors and, of course, children.
The legends are fun. In one, he saves the three daughters of a poor man from becoming prostitutes by providing their dowry; in another, he restores to life three children who had been killed and placed in a vat of brine. Neither or both may be true, but in either case, they likely point to certain truths about the character of this now jolly-red-suit-with-white-fur-trim-clad saint: he showed great compassion for those in need and was called to serve the dispossessed.
These, the needy and the dispossessed, are often the ones we would like to look past. Even as the Church, good Christian people, we often find it challenging to look at the sufferings of others because we spend so much of our time looking in. Self-preservation and self-examination are instinctive and good practices, but they can lead to us becoming self-consumed.
Vince Lombardi was the head coach of the Green Bay Packers from 1959 to 1967. During that time, Bart Starr was the first-string quarterback. Starr, as well as everyone else, knew where they stood with regard to Lombardi. Starr said, as you entered Vince’s office, you noticed a large mahogany desk with an impressive organization chart behind it on the wall. The chart had a small block at the top in which was printed: โVince Lombardi, Head Coach and General Manager.โ A line came down from it to a very large block in which was printed: โEverybody Else!โ
When we become self-consumed, we see ourselves in a similar position. Weโre at the top, and everybody else is below us.
In his book, Ethics, Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote, โGod loves human beings. God loves the world. Not an ideal human, but human beings as they are; not an ideal world, but the real world. What we find repulsive in their opposition to God, what we shrink back from with pain and hostility, namely, real human beings, the real world, this is for God the ground of unfathomable love.โ (p.84)
The world is the ground of Godโs unfathomable love, and we, like St. Nicholas, can be the conduits of that love by seeingโnot the needy and dispossessed / everybody elseโbut by seeing the objects of Godโs love.
In the time of Jesus, the children were among the needy and dispossessed. They could not work or provide for themselves, yet Jesus said to his disciples who tried to prevent those children from coming to him, โLet the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs.โ We must be wise in our dealings with the world, but we must not become so calloused or self-consumed that we are preventing the children from approaching Jesus; or us. We are to allow them to come so we might point them to the one who is Love.
David graduated college and started working his first job. He was shocked by the expenses that came along with paying for his apartment, food, and everything else associated with the โreal world.โ He was even complaining to his mother about the high cost of auto insurance.
โYou know,โ said his mother, โIf you got married already, your premiums would be lower.โ
David smiled. โThat would be like buying an airline ticket just to get free peanuts.โ
Last week, we lit the first of the four Advent candles. The light began to shine in the darkness. In a dark world, a single candle may not appear to be that much, but you have heard the words of Francis of Assisi, and they are true: โAll the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle.โ That first candle may provide only a little light, but it cannot be overcome by any amount of darkness. This fire is ours. It was kindled within us by the Holy Spirit, but even though it is in us, it is not for us to keep to ourselves but to give freely, just as it was given freely to us. Yet, to give freely is not the way of the world.
In Dostoyevskyโs The Brothers Karamazov, while discussing โThe Russian Monk and his possible Significance,โ Father Zossima writes, โThe world says: โYou have needsโsatisfy them. You have as much right as the rich and the mighty. Don’t hesitate to satisfy your needs; indeed, expand your needs and demand more.โ This is the worldly doctrine of today. And they believe that this is freedom. The result for the rich is isolation and suicide, for the poor, envy and murder.โ Dostoyevsky wrote that in 1880 and it would seem that not much has changed. Youโve got to hold what youโve got while attempting to gain more. In the context of our lonely candle, the flame is not shared. It withholds all that it has to offer, but Jesus has said to us, โYou are the light of the world.โ We have this gift of light that we are called to share with others, but what will it cost us if we do?
I came across this story but donโt know its source (I searched!) The boy’s name changes from the versions I read, so weโll call him Joseph.
Joseph lived in a village on the edge of a forest. The people who lived there were simple folks and somewhat embarrassed by their small church. When visitors would come, they would tell them that they hoped to one day build a grand cathedral like what was on the other side of the forest because it just seemed to them that when you were in the cathedral with all its grandness, you were much nearer to God.
One Christmas Eve, Josephโs motherโa widowโbecame very ill and was nearing death, so Joseph decided to make the journey through the woods to the cathedral where he might pray. Setting off in the evening, he took a single candle to light his way through the woods and, once at the cathedral, set the burning candle on the altar as a prayer for his mother.
The woods were a scary place, and Joseph had heard that anyone making the trip to the cathedral through them must pass by an old well that was reported to be haunted. To protect yourself as you went by, you had to toss a coin into the well, but Joseph was poor and had no coin, so as he neared, he broke into a run, only to trip on an old root and fall beside the well. As he was scrambling to get up, he heard a small voice. โHelp me! Give me your light so I can see my way out of this place.โ
Joseph, terrified, replied, โThis candle is for my mother. She is very ill. Iโm taking it to the altar at the cathedral to say a prayer so that she can be healed.โ The voice from the well spoke again, โHow can you refuse to share your light on this night of Christโs birth?โ After another momentโs hesitation, Joseph tossed his candle into the well, yet feeling he had just brought on the death of his mother; he bent over in tears. Then, through his tears, he saw the light of his candle growing from inside the well, and shortly, a small child stepped out, holding his candle. The child smiled at Joseph and said, โReturn home. You will find your mother healed.โ
Joseph ran and found his mother up and waiting for him. She had been restored to health. She and Joseph went to their small church to give thanks. When they opened the church doors, they were nearly blinded by the light pouring forth from the altar. At that moment, the cathedral could not compare to the glory of that small church.
When their eyes had adjusted, Josephโs mother was even more astonished. โJoseph,โ she said, โthere is only one candle on the altar making all this light.โ Joseph could not speak, for as he knelt at the altar to pray, he saw that the candle on the altar was the candle he had tossed down the well to the child. The light he had given away had returned to him in great glory.
As a Christian people, we are not to withhold the light that has been so freely given to us, but what will it cost us to give it to others? โA candle loses nothing by lighting another candle.โ (Father James Keller)
[Light second Advent candle] Notice the first candle has lost nothing. Its flame is not smaller, its lifetime is not diminished, and the heat and light it produces are not less. We are to be this candle to others.
How do we go about it? We share with them the Gospel message that they may know God. We give of ourselves. We give of our treasuresโฆ I looked at all weโve given just this year through our Community Tithe. It is amazing. We step up and do the fun and exciting things, and we step up and do the small and mundane chores. And all of this is based on the great commandment to love.
We are all aware of the work of the Sisters of Charity, the religious order in India founded by Mother Teresa. Mother Teresa wrote of that work, โWhat we are doing is but a drop in the ocean. This may be only a drop, but the ocean would be less if it werenโt there. What we do is something small, but we do it with big hearts. At death, we will not be judged by the amount of work we did, but by the amount of love we put into it. We do not strive for spectacular actions. What counts is the gift of yourself, the degree of love you put into each of your deeds. Do you want to be great? Pick up a broom and sweep the floor.โ
We will not be judged by the amount of work we doโthe greatness or smallness of the work. We will be judged by the amount of love we put into it. What is love? Bishop Robert Barron wrote, โLove actually is a great act of the will. It’s when I say, โI desire your good, not for my sake but for yours.โ To love is to break out of the black hole of the ego and say, โMy life is about you.โโ When we love in this way through words and deeds, we are lighting candles, and the glory of their light will bring glory to our Father. Share the flame that is within you.
Let us pray: Gracious Father, we are filled with new light by the coming of your Word among us. May this light, the light of faith, shine in our words and actions. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
Candle in a Cave 