Who Will You Be with This Christmas?

Posted on December 9, 2020 by Terry and John

Many government and health organizations recommend that we limit in-person, holiday celebrations to the members of our immediate households. But what if we have not seen family members for several months? What if you, or I, live alone? And what about children or elderly, who aren’t emotionally capable of tolerating our absence? What about the awful pain of isolation?

There is no easy answer, only one word, that we are called to grasp and to celebrate in whatever way we can –Emmanuel.

Emmanuel. Jesus is with us. Jesus has pitched his tent among us. Jesus lives in my home and in yours. Jesus is the greatest gift of love to all of us. Jesus has conquered every obstacle to hope and peace. How will you acknowledge the presence of Jesus on the day of his birth? A Christmas hymn sung out loud, an online Mass? A birthday cake? A livestreamed event? A solitary visit to a nativity display?

Abba, Father. Knowing Jesus is to know the one who sent him to be with us. The Father created each of us at our conception. The Father is intimately connected to each of us, sustaining us at every moment. Giving us breath. Holding us, and protecting us. Constantly recreating us, and challenging us to move forward.  How will you celebrate being the Father’s child? Being a sister or a brother to significant people in your life? A phone call? An internet visit? Mailing gifts? Raising your arms to heaven, asking for Abba’s blessing upon each loved one, by name?

Beloved Holy Spirit. Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit, brought to birth through the Virgin Mary and the Holy Spirit. This same Spirit stands beside us as advocate, mentor, helper. Come Holy Spirit. Our most welcome guest. Our greatest Comforter. Our Light in darkness. Our Living Flame of Love. How will you realize –make real –God’s Holy Spirit on Christmas Day? Will you open your door and say “Come Holy Spirit?” Will you pray with a candle? Will you move, dance, or walk through the strength of God’s Holy Spirit?

 Remember. You are not alone.  Not a single person on the face of this earth is alone. This is the Gospel Message. The Better-than-Good News. And Yes. All the difficult feelings and separations we endure this year are very real. But so is Jesus, the Christ, our Emmanuel, Son of the Father, the one who unleashes the Holy Spirit within us. So, let us celebrate, with or without tears. 

 
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Tips for Surrendering Fears to Jesus in a COVID-19 World

Posted on November 3, 2020 by Terry and John

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to bear down on us, many are plagued by growing fears. When will there be a vaccine? Will it be safe? Will the winner of the presidential election help or hurt the sick? Will there be shortages again? Will more people lose their jobs? Should I gather with loved ones at Thanksgiving and Christmas?

Some people are also experiencing bouts of depression, anger or PTSD. Some Christians find it difficult to trust in God’s presence and love, despite reassurances like, “Even the hairs of your head have all been counted. Do not be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows.” (Luke 12: 3-7)

Remember that fear is part of an early warning system built into each human person. Like radar, it alerts us to an upcoming storm on the sea of our life and can help us survive by leading us to a way through suffering.

The problem is not a fear or worry itself. The issue is seeking sound guidance, so we don’t get stuck in the kind of unproductive fear that continuously replays the problem. Such an unbalanced state is contrary to the good news of Jesus Christ, doctor, healer, and Savior. We need to unlock God’s mercy.

Below are eight tips for working through fears as a follower of Jesus Christ:

1) Take time to face and list fears at the beginning or end of the day. Jesus, I am afraid of______

2) Tell yourself the truth.  There is help! Under each worry or fear, list two possible outcomes. Rely on the Holy Spirit for creative solutions to your problem. Sing a revised song, like “He’s Got the Whole World in his hands”…   He’s got the corona virus… in his hands.  He’s got the US election… in his hands.

3) Don’t be overly pious. “Pray as if everything depends on God, and work as if everything depends on you.” (attributed to St. Ignatius of Loyola)

4) Vocalize root causes of your fear. Do relationships or events trigger fear and need mending? Share these fears and causes with someone you can trust (who has a sense of humor). 

5) Imagine one fear. Then visualize Jesus, walking toward you across the churning waters of your fears, saying, “Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid!” (Mark 6:50) Listen for what he says next.

6) Admit any paralyzing fears… When overwhelmed, focus on your surroundings. Describe the room you are in, what’s on a desk or a table near you. What do you see out the window? Breathe deeply and relax. Use normal resources to moderate fear: regular exercise, relaxation, proper eating, hobbies, adequate sleep, and daily personal prayer (15 to 30 min. to start). Do not be afraid to seek professional counseling for long-term paralyzing emotions.

7) Allow yourself to be deeply evangelized and converted—give your life explicitly to Jesus day by day.

“Jesus Christ loves you. He gave His life to save you, and now He lives forever by your side to enlighten, strengthen and heal you.” (Pope Francis, “The Joy of the Gospel,” 164)

8) Pray the scriptures daily–surrender fears to Jesus through the power of the Spirit (10-20 min. a day). Search online for New Testament passages about fear and read them aloud, often. Then pray to the Holy Spirit:

Come Holy Spirit, fill my heart
and kindle in me the fire of your love.
Send forth your Spirit and I shall be created.
And You shall renew the face of the earth.

O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit,
instructed our hearts in the past,
grant that by the same Holy Spirit
I may become truly wise
and ever enjoy His consolations,
Through Christ Our Lord, Amen.

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Before You Mail Your Ballot or Enter the Voting Booth

Posted on October 9, 2020 by Terry and John

Many are suffering from anxieties raised by the tenor of this year’s presidential election, on top of fears about the coronavirus, lack of employment or dealing with ongoing restrictions like social distancing. On a more personal note, many feel like they are drowning in a sea of confusing emotions generated by months of loneliness or the divisive political views of friends and family.  Here is a poem and an exercise that may help.

 

Step One:  Prayer for Help

Lord Jesus,
Turbulent waves threaten to knock us over
and even divide us from one another.

Each day a new political tsunami slams us.
Pandemics of every kind surround us
and we are drowning.

Send your Holy Spirit,
wash over us, purify us, heal us, renew our hearts
so that we may not sink beneath waves of fear and depression.

Help us arise and walk across the flooded waters
into your loving arms. Amen.

 

Step Two:  What do I Believe?

St. Gregory the Great (540–604) prayed, “In the shipwreck of this present life, sustain me by the plank of prayer, lest I sink by my own weight. Instead, let the hand of your mercy raise me up.”

Jesus, Emanuel, I believe that you are present as I vote and as we tally our votes. Lord, help my unbelief.

Jesus, Son of God, I believe that your heavenly Father is the source of all leadership and power. Lord, help my unbelief.

Holy Savior, I believe that you truly care about our country’s poverty, in all of its many forms, and will answer our most pressing needs. Lord, help my unbelief.

Jesus, King of Kings, I trust that you will anoint our elected officials with gifts of wisdom and peace-making. Lord, help my unbelief.

 

Step Three: Meditate on God’s Word

“Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who though he was in the form of God . . . emptied himself, taking the form of a slave” (Philippians 2:5-7). Simply lay all of your needs and our countries needs before God (names these needs out-loud); then empty yourself of fear and anxieties.

Romans 8: 32, 35, 37-39 (NRSV)

To be read slowly, at least twice. Listen for a phrase that touches you. Repeat the phrase several times and finish by reading the passage one final time.

“He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not also give us everything else?

 [So] who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 

 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.”

 

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