Feast of the Holy Family

I remember once as a child out shopping with my mom and thought it would be fun to play hide and seek in the clothing racks.  You can probably guess that she did not feel the same way.

Fast forward thirty years and I'm taking my three young kids to the zoo alone.  Turn to show my son the elephants, turn back, and my oldest isn't with me.  One of the most nerve-racking minutes of my life until I spot her a few yards ahead, walking without a care in the world.

In the Gospel for today I am reassured by Mary's words as she finds Jesus after days of searching for him, "Son, why have you done this to us?"  It was refreshing for me to read that she reacted the way I have to my kids when they have said or done something that they weren't supposed to do.  And even more so, I've reacted to God this way when something hasn't gone how I expected it to, when those prayers haven't been answered or I'm rocked by tragic news.  I'm also comforted that after Jesus's response to them that He was in His Father's house that his saintly parents didn't understand.  This has been a year full of instances where I've seen people in my life suffer and I go to God asking why it had to happen. 

On my nightstand right now is three different books related to parenting, a fourth is in my Amazon shopping list and I'm considering buying an app for moms. We're not going through a crisis or anything, but after spending time in the chapel this week I was convicted to seek more wisdom about the most godly ways to respond to our kids in the various situations that arise in our home, but with the mindset that our children belong to God first and they are not for me to control. 

During this Christmas season especially I ask for the intercessions of Saint Joseph and the Blessed Mother.  The couple that God chose to raise His son were human and experienced trials in their parenting, but as the Collect for today states, they were a "shining example" for us to imitate.  I am also looking to the second reading from St. Paul to the Colossians for practical ways to do this, engaging each other with forgiveness, love, and thanksgiving and instruction with God's word so we can live more like the Holy Family did.

4th Sunday of Advent

When was the last time you read the book of Micah? Years ago I went through a plan to read the entire bible so I know that
I have read it before, but that was probably the only time.

On constant replay in our van right now is a children’s Christmas CD that is songs of just scripture. One of the songs comes
from this first reading. I love that from a young age my children will hear these words of prophecy dozens of times more than
I ever did.  I also love how the church fathers organize the readings throughout the liturgical year to teach us about God and
how the Bible is truly a story about His Son. A cross reference to the reading from Micah is Isaiah chapter 7, which was
another reading earlier this week prophesying the coming of Christ.

A theme of Christmas that has stood out to me in the last few years was Christ’s humility. My last three babies were all born
in the fall so I’ve had wee ones at Christmas multiple times, my son only being 6 weeks old. I think of how helpless and tiny
these newborns are and am amazed that the savior of the world came into the world to live among us the same way the rest of
us do. In the reading from Micah Bethlehem is the least in the lands of Judah. It’s where King David came from, and he was the
youngest and least among his own brothers. (So was Joseph in the book of Genesis.) God frequently uses those who appear to
be weak to do great things.

How does that apply to my own life? God has convicted me this year to grow in humility and uses my children to teach me
this often. I’ve worked with children for 25 years and have a two education degrees but that goes out the window trying to
raise my own.  The hours that I spend cleaning, cooking, and running errands feels mundane and unimportant, but keeping
our home running in a godly way is building up the domestic church. I see former colleagues advance in their careers while
I returned to the classroom, but just this week I received notes from former students thanking me for teaching them last year,
and I remember why I wanted to work directly with kids again.

At the end of the passage in Micah in verse 4 it says, “he shall be peace.” Instead of reacting to each unexpected situation
throughout the day, I am challenged to live as Mary and Elizabeth did, with joy and humility knowing that our Savior will
bring everlasting peace in any circumstance. One way that helps me is praying the Litany of Humility.

New Year's Resolution?

So I haven't posted to this blog in two years.  In that time I've changed jobs and had another baby, so I've been a little busy.  That new job is teaching at a Catholic school again.  For Advent this year different staff members signed up to write reflections on the daily Mass readings for everyone.  I jumped at the chance and really enjoyed the opportunity to dig into the same passage of Scripture repeatedly, meditate on it throughout the week and already be familiar with it on Sunday, especially since I am distracted by my kids most of the time.  While at Mass I was convicted to make this a weekly habit.  I know that life is going to get in the way sometimes (currently my bedroom is covered in a mountain of laundry and Christmas cards that need to get sent out) but I am going to try to make the time.  And if I use this blog as a way to post them, maybe I'll have a little bit of accountability to post them.  I'm already behind because I didn't post the reflections for Gaudete Sunday yesterday (a day that went very differently from what we originally planned earlier in the week) but the message of a rejoicing still applies as Christmas gets closer.

Today is also referred to as Gaudete Sunday, which comes from a Latin word meaning rejoice. You’ll notice this theme repeated in the first and second readings and responsorial psalm. We are just over a week away from Christmas and the time for celebrating Our Lord’s arrival is near.

But this doesn’t always feel like a joyful time. To do lists at work are long as we finish out the semester, there are extra financial burdens, and social media can put unrealistic expectations on creating the best memories, decorations, and meals. The holiday season can be a painful reminder of the loved ones who are no longer here to celebrate with us and hopes for 2018 that were unfulfilled.

Today’s second reading from Philippians is popular for good reason. No matter our circumstances we have reason to rejoice, because the Lord is near to us.  St. Paul knew this better than anyone, as he was in prison when he wrote this letter. For us, every time we pray, sing hymns, and read His Word, Christ is there.  We encounter Him every time we receive the Eucharist and worship in adoration. And He is present within all the people we encounter as we live out the words of today’s gospel and share the blessings we have with those in need.  I love that as a member of the POP community I have these opportunities with my co-workers and students all the time!

In the midst of this particularly busy time of year I am trying to remember to view this season of anticipation with joy as my young children and our students do. While they are more excited about presents and Santa (though I am trying to teach them otherwise!) I can rejoice knowing that my mighty savior is here.  One of my favorite ways to worship during Advent and Christmas is with the music of Chris Tomlin.  Take a few minutes today to listen and rejoice!

And now to get started for the 4th Sunday of Advent!