ADVENT'S ANNOUNCEMENT

The very fiber of the Italian cities seemed to sing with angelic presence. They were everywhere: in churches, on buildings and adorning bridges. This unidentified angel hung near a window in Sienna. What is she saying as she crushes a sword under her feet and wields a shield above her?

We know what the angel Gabriel said to Mary in Nazareth. His shocking words require some kind of D-Day fan fare. The invasion of time by the Incarnation of God rocks the world; both the forces of good and evil must have stood at attention with the Annunciation.:

"Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you. Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end." Luke 1:31

Do we know God is with us? Do we know Jesus is reigning? Some grey and dark days we do not sense it. We feel the plight of refugees and the fear of terror, but there is a greater reality. We must cling to the hope God gives when Gabriel announces His invasion plans.

And we can open our hearts and let Him invade the darkness there. 

"In Him was life and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it." John 1:5

I pray this Advent season that we might open the eyes of our hearts and know God is with us. Mary's yes ushered in God's abiding presence with us. May we know this truth deeply and allow the light of Jesus to illumine our hearts, minds and lives.

Medicine from Sacred Scripture:

"The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. 

We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only,

 who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." 

John 1:14

ADVENT'S ADORATION

Hanging in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy is the Adoration of Mary by Italian Renaissance painter, Correggio. Stunned before Mary's worship I pondered her yes.  A yes with open hands and heart and womb; a yes to judgement, hurt, confusion and misunderstanding. In opening her soul to God all else was on the line: reputation, honor, acceptance and security.

In my mind's eye others have paraded through the manger to worship, but I'd never considered Mary's worship. Her "yes," to God's invitation opened the way for heaven to come down. Gabriel came announcing Good News to one who worshiped by surrendering her will to God as she carried  Jesus into the world. Mary knew whose Son she carried, and so she worshiped in spirit and in truth. She worshiped the Baby she bore. Do we?

We, too, are called to accept an invitation. Jesus longs to dwell in us: "If anyone loves Me, he will obey My teaching. My father will love him, and we will make our home with Him." John 14:23 

Paul reminds us, "Do you not know, that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?" 1 Corinthians 3:16

Even a small yes welcomes Someone in the door.

This Advent season may our yielding to His will, His Way and His Presence bring healing to our broken world. May we fall on our knees to worship the One who came to save His people from their sin.


Medicine from Sacred Writings:

"How is the Infinite in a womb,

how is He that contains all things carried, as unborn, by a woman; 

how is it the Virgin bears, and continues a virgin? 

How, I pray thee, did the Spirit frame that temple?"

John Chrysostom Fourth Century

THE KEEPER OF THE FOUNTAIN

Leaves have swirled, fallen from heaven. Day after day, week after week, month after month they drop and I have yet to capture the essence of their beauty. Like my days spilling over a fountain of life, I am grasping for meaning, gasping for air, but am unable. Overwhelmed, vulnerable, stripped bare by the passage of time, I too, find myself unmasked by the Voice of the Lord who strips the forest bare. 

I stand in His presence, and then I bow, bending under the weight of time, change, sorrow, sadness, joy and love. All these held in terrible tension. Eyes raised to heaven I can only whisper, "I lift up my eyes to the hills~ where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let my foot slip~ He who watches over me will not slumber." Psalm 121:1-3

Need Someone to watch over you?

Medicine from Sacred Writings:

"The Spirit comes gently and makes Himself known…

the Spirit comes with the tenderness of a true Friend and protector

to save, to heal, to teach, to strengthen, to console...

All your life long will your Guardian, the Comforter, abide with you.

He will care for you, as for His own soldier; 

for your going out and your coming in and your plotting foes. 

And He will give you gifts of grace of every kind.”

Cyrl of Jerusalem said this in the fourth century:

CAPSIZED

It is heartbreaking to watch boats sinking, refugees never arriving to live their dreams. Promises made are lost at sea. They have forsaken all, risked their lives, but are guaranteed nothing. Images swirl in our minds and overwhelm our hearts reminding us how fragile life is. We cannot comprehend such desperation, such need, such peril.

In some small way we are all adrift in a sea of humanity. Oftentimes in his writing John Chrysostom speaks of vessels: 

"So too we must show our will; for we also sail a voyage, not from land to land, but from earth to heaven... let our vessel be stout, that it not be swamped amidst the reverses and despondencies of this life...If we so order our ship we will draw down to ourselves the Son of God, the True Pilot. who will not leave our bark to be engulfed, but though ten thousand winds may blow, will rebuke the winds and the sea, and instead of raging waves, make a great calm." 

Few realize how fragile is the vessel we journey in. My ship is comprised of roles, activities and all that encompasses who I believe I am because of promises made and dreams desired; but this ship capsizes. Children leave, disappoint, distance themselves, rebel, even break our hearts. My ship now lists a little.

Then I consider my other roles: marriage- the vows made and the daily dance of keeping my heart alive amidst the war torn world we live in; friendship- how it ebbs and flows with beautiful beach days with friends and then those same ones moving on while others come alongside, a cry to be known and belong. Now my boat is fairly sinking. I am asked to live, keep loving, keep going when 

all is stripped away.

One comes close and whispers in my heart, "Child, I have come, I will right this ship that is you, so that you can bring many to My love and My heart. You cannot capsize now, though the waves of change crash all around, though you struggle against winds and storms, I am near. Do not be afraid."

Has He come close and raised you up?

Medicine from Sacred Writings:

"Wherefore He tabernacled among us, that we might be able with much fearlessness approach Him, to speak to, and to converse with Him...He revealed Himself to all, and all things everywhere exclaimed, that the King of Heaven was come... He filled up what was broken off, banded together its crevices and shaken portions, and raised up again what was entirely fallen down."

John Chrysostom    Fourth Century

WHY KNOT?

"What's the best knot for attaching the jib sheets to the jib clew?" I don't know. Seriously? I've been sailing once in my life and proved myself less than a stellar crew member. I have, however, learned some essential life-lessons from sailing, like the knot.

Always tie a knot. Why? Because the sail might get out of hand, because when I release the rope I may not do a great job, and if all else fails (read I fail), then the knot at the end of the jib rope will hold the sail, even when I can't. If I let go Someone stronger and wiser will see to the righting of the ship. I didn't say it would be smooth sailing.

As a matter of fact, the captain tied the knot; the only one I knew was the simple loop it over and through ~ hardly anything that would hold in gale force winds. "The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms." Deuteronomy 33:27 I am supported, you are supported; strong loving arms are holding us when we can't hold on.

God's tender love holds us secure, like a nest for a family of birds; safety and security surround the babies as they grow and even the young are kept in their mother's care. "Even the sparrow has found herself a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young- near your altar, O Lord Almighty, my King and my God." Psalm 84:3, 4

Have you, "found yourself a home or a nest for yourself"?

Perhaps the arms of the Eternal God might be a good place to find shelter. One doesn't need to get to the "end of your rope" before you reach out for help. Why not let God's love be the knot that holds you no matter what seas, what storm, what trial, what temptation you face at this time. I have heard He has loving, healing hands. The One who calms the winds and the waves also knit us together in our mother's womb. He's probably a great knot-maker.

Medicine from Sacred Writings:

"If you require protection... take yourself to God, the common Protector and Savior and Benefactor of all, to that irresistible alliance, to that abiding shelter which is everywhere present, and is a wall for us on every side."

John Chrysostom   Fourth Century

SAILING ALONG

First, we stepped into a little boat, my friend straining hard against the oars with the wind against us as she rowed us through the harbor to where her sailboat was moored. It curtsied to us on the waves, a gentle greeting, as it bobbed gently up and down on the water. I was simply along for the ride I thought.

We readied our vessel: attaching sails, securing ropes that held sails, tying knots at the ends of ropes, stowing gear, and explaining my role in sailing. I was “on” the jib sail: when she said, “release!” I was supposed to lift up the rope that held the jib sail and let it go, then move to the other side of the boat and grab the rope from that side. We were ready to sail.

“Release!”

“What? How do I do that again?” Small panic rose within me as I tugged on the rope but it didn't release;  my friend, on the mainsail, was watching my terror as we heeled and took on water. She released her sail, letting it flap in the wind, and then helped me with mine; the boat listed left and righted herself again, my heart pounded as the fear of dumping us in the water slowly subsided.

It took me many "tacks" to realize that when I let go, the rope was still attached, it simply released the sail to move in a different direction. When I released the rope I allowed the sail to catch more wind as the captain turned the boat; when I clutched the rope, controlling, manipulating, maneuvering, I hindered the work of the sails and watched as the boat began to tip~ it wouldn't sink, the captain had the mainsail, but it sure made it harder to move forward in the water when my hands were holding the rope of the jib sail taut out of fear.

How many times my boat has been turned and God said, "Release!" Release my terror-like grip on my will and way, release my fearful hold on my children, release the pain of broken relationships, release the fear that holds me back from freedom.

"Release!" 

"What? Wait, how do I do that again?" Slowly God pries my fingers off the ropes and asks me to trust that He is my Captain in the midst of my fear and the storms of my life. He is in control and if I am willing to release the rope I hold onto, then the boat sails with more grace catching the powerful wind of His love and mercy. Look closely and you will see the arm of the Captain on your shoulder.

Are you listening for the commands of Jesus in the midst of your day to day life? 

When Jesus says, "Release!" He is asking you to let Him be the Captain, let Him tell you how to act and speak and what to do and when to release the very thing you think is impossible to let go of. In the midst of your struggle He says this: "Take courage, it is I. Don't be afraid." Matthew 14:27

Medicine from Sacred Writings:

"This word, "Be of good cheer it is I, be not afraid," removed their fear, and caused them to take confidence...He makes Himself known by His Voice."

John Chrysostom Fourth Century

EASTER'S MELTING

“I am looking for fruit in My garden, in our vineyard, fruit that will last. You know these fruits, for though you hold them up for the world to see, I see precious little of this in your soul: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness and self-control. These are not responses, child, you practice in moments of calm or crisis, these flow from deep within your soul."

The words in prayer surprised me, I felt a bit chastised, not having connected my inward aridity with what I present to the world. It isn’t a difficult disconnect. “I will try harder,” I tell myself as the schedule intensifies and the pressure mounts, and inwardly I am either melting down or boiling over.

If my soul is a vineyard and  God desires fruit, He might want  to reconsider and look in my kitchen instead. I can do berries, I can make jam, rows and rows of jars line my counter now, but inward peace and stillness, a gentle and quiet spirit. I am afraid God is looking in the wrong soul. Or is He?

The last Lindt Chocolate Easter bunny sat forlornly on my shelf, I waited and waited for it  to be eaten, but no one took a bite. So I melted it down, making chocolate covered strawberries. It seemed a delightful endeavor at the moment, but now it seems almost a picture of what God is asking. Will I take Easter joy, which I embraced then, and let it spill over onto my everyday life? Will I stop waiting for something to change around me and let the change happen within me? Will I refuse to boil over internally or melt into a heap of tears and instead look to the One who says, “Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning.” Psalm 30:5

The night won’t be shorter, but the promise of God’s joy being my strength, will see me through.

Are you melting down or boiling over? Need joy? Be still and know He is God and in that stillness ask Him for the grace you need for the day ahead.

Medicine from Sacred Scripture:

“The joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10