Birthday

Mary gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in bands of cloth and laid him in a manger because there was no place for them at the inn (Luke 2:7)

            When I was a boy, my birthday was a big deal. I spent the weeks before it thinking about what my parents might buy me for my birthday present. In case they might not know what to get me, I made helpful suggestions. As I grew up, birthdays became important milestones in my life. At 16, I could get a driver’s license. After I turned 18, I could vote. Later, they were a reminder I was getting old, so I paid less attention to them. Now that both my parents have died, birthdays have become an occasion to reflect upon how the years pass quickly and ordinary events become more meaningful.

            In this text from Luke, Mary gives birth to Jesus and lays him in a manger because there was no place for them in the inn. By doing so, God enters human history in a very ordinary way.

            Within the Hebrew Scriptures/Old Testament a child’s birth was believed to be a blessing from God. It fulfilled the divine command to be fruitful and multiply, extended God’s covenant with a specific family for another generation and gave the parents a source of support in their old age. Although stories were recorded about how the birth of important individuals within Israel’s history were foretold to their parents and God appeared to these leaders as children, the accounts contained few details about what occurred after they were born. After birth, the baby was usually washed, rubbed with salt and wrapped in bands of cloth to strengthen the spine. News about the infant’s birth was then sent to the father who frequently named him or her. If the child was a son, he succeeded to his father’s authority in the family and was circumcised after eight days.

            Luke’s story of Christ’s birth highlighted the ordinary way God entered human history. After the evangelist placed the event within its historical context by identifying the Emperor and Governor of Syria, he indicated why Mary and Joseph were in Bethlehem when Jesus was born: registration for a future tax. Far from their relatives and in makeshift accommodations (probably the basement of the inn or a nearby cave where animals were kept) Mary gave birth to her child. The event was told simply. In the account, the only supernatural element was the appearance of angels to the shepherds who were the first learn about the birth. However, this ordinary event had an extraordinary meaning. Earlier, the angel told Mary her son would be great and called Son of the Most High. In the field, the angels revealed he would be a Saviour, Messiah and Lord. This birth was a turning point in human history and all generations would reflect upon its meaning.

            Christmas provides the faithful with a chance to contemplate how this event has impacted their life. During his time on earth, Jesus would have experienced many of the difficulties which are part of the human condition: hunger, thirst, exhaustion and pain. Christians can draw strength from the fact he knew personally many of the hardships they endure. While he never committed sin, Christ would have experienced many of its effects: oppression, injustice, betrayal and death. The faithful recognize he can empathize with their plight. They also understand that his birth was followed by his earthly mission, during which he made God’s presence real to people through his teachings and miracles, his Death, which redeemed humanity from its sins and his Resurrection which opened the way to Eternal Life. The birth of Jesus has impacted the lives of Christians in many ways.

            Yet, this season is also a time to consider how Christ embraced the ordinary limitations of the human condition. Until the moment he was conceived in Mary’s womb, the Son of God had infinite power and glory. At his birth, he became a helpless infant completely dependent on his parents. He was born when the Roman Empire was at the height of its power and his birthplace in Bethlehem made him one of its subjects. Jesus could have been born at another time or in a different place but did not. Why? Perhaps he wanted to show from the outset of his life that he welcomed the fullness of ordinary human life. He experienced the power of human love through his parents. Jesus would have slept, eaten food, drank water and earned money as a carpenter. By doing so, he indicated the ordinary events in life, which are often dismissed or taken for granted, have a deeper spiritual meaning: they connect us with him.

Birthdays, including that of Jesus, can be a time of reflection. They link us with the past and are a reminder that our future is fast approaching. However, they can also help us appreciate the present and that, as Christ showed through his birth, the ordinary events which comprise life have more value than we realize.

December 25, 2019

Bethlehem

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us” (Luke 2:15).

            When I was in High School, a teacher once told me learning something important usually required changing your attitude. “Convince yourself quadratic equations are too complicated and you will never understand them”, he said. “However, the moment you think they can be figured out everything snaps into place”. While modifying our attitude is a complex process, a personal experience can help make it happen.

            In this text from Luke, some shepherds go to Bethlehem to discover more about what the angels revealed to them in the field. By doing so, they make it the place from which news about Christ’s birth starts to be shared with all people.

            Within the Hebrew Scriptures/Old Testament, Bethlehem was associated with the lives of many important people in Israel’s history. Rachel, the wife of Jacob, died near the town and was buried there. Elimelech, the father-in-law of Ruth, was a citizen of Bethlehem. David was born in the town and was anointed by Samuel at a sacrifice offered there. After Solomon’s death and the division of the Kingdom, Rehoboam made Bethlehem a fortified city within Judah. Prior to the birth of Jesus, the town’s importance derived from its connection with King David. Isaiah’s prophecy about the coming of a future Messiah indicated this individual would be a descendent of David. Micah specified Bethlehem would be the birthplace of this person. Yet, the shepherds likely knew little about the town’s religious importance. Bethlehem was a place they passed by as they moved their flocks between pastures.

            Luke’s story of the shepherds’ encounter with the angels changed their attitude towards the town. They were told a saviour, who is the Messiah, was born there. Their decision to learn more about this event by going there was sparked by their personal experience of what the angels revealed. Upon finding the child in the conditions described by the angels, the shepherds shared with Mary and Joseph the message they had received. The long-awaited Messiah had arrived in Bethlehem as Micah had predicted. This profound news had to be told to others. The shepherds probably shared their story with anyone who would listen. Its impact on them was indicated by their amazement. While only part of God’s plan about Jesus was revealed to them, the shepherds became the first heralds of the Christmas message: the significant lesson they learned that night through personal experience.

            Although the shepherds and those with whom they interacted knew of the birth of Jesus, most of the people in Bethlehem were likely unaware or indifferent to the news. Some of those who learned about the event likely forgot about it after a few days. They were busy doing other things in their lives. In a way, this Christmas Season, our secular society is a lot like Bethlehem. There is so much to do: decorations to put up; presents to buy; and dinners to plan. Yet, all these activities focus on the social dimension of the holiday. This leaves little time to recall the reason why Christmas is celebrated at all. Once it is over, everyone starts focusing on Valentine’s Day.

            Christians can be distracted by all this activity. It is often difficult to keep one’s attention on the holiday’s spiritual dimension. The shepherd’s message has been passed down to us in the Scriptures. Through his birth at Bethlehem, our Saviour became one of us. This event will lead to our redemption from sin and allow us to enter Eternal Life. Personal encounters with Christ have enabled the faithful to understand the significance of this message. Such experiences direct their attention away from the distractions found in our society and towards recalling the true meaning of Christmas.

            Like the shepherds, Christians need to share with others the spiritual meaning of Christ’s birth. Many are reluctant to do so for fear of offending non-Christians or those with no faith. For others, it is so personal they have difficulty sharing it with another individual. Yet, the future of all humanity was changed by it, whether people choose to accept this truth or not. Although we respect the right of people to ignore the spiritual meaning of Christmas, this does not imply we should not promote it by our actions and words. Like the shepherds in Luke’s account, we have personally experienced Christ’s presence in our lives and so understand the meaning of his birth. We are called to share it with all those who will listen.

            During this Christmas Season, we not only remember what happened in Bethlehem 2,000 years ago, we live it. Many people may not understand or believe in the importance of the birth of Jesus; but we do. For this reason, we need to keep the spiritual dimension of this holiday alive and well in our world.

December 25, 2021

Baptism

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan (Mark 1:9).

             When I was six days old, I was baptized at Holy Cross Parish in Oshawa, Ontario. It was at that moment I assumed my identity as a Roman Catholic. Since that time, I have tried to live out and better understand what that identity means. When I was young, my parents took me to Mass every Sunday. We ate fish instead of meat for supper on Fridays. I went to Holy Cross and John F. Kennedy Elementary Schools instead of the public school near our house. At university, I lived at the Newman Center at the edge of the campus of Queen’s University for two years. As time passed, I became more conscious of how my baptismal identity has made me similar to but also different from other people.

            In the text from Mark, Jesus is baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan River. By doing so, he begins the process of establishing his identity as the one called to redeem sinful humanity.

            Since an account of this event is recorded in three of the Gospels, it is very likely to have happened. Yet, it raises an awkward question. If John’s Baptism indicated conversion from sin, why did Jesus, who as Son of God was sinless, receive it? In response to this dilemma, Matthew included the story of John trying to dissuade Jesus from being baptized for this reason. Perhaps Mark was attempting to convey the message Baptism was about more than being cleansed from sin. It included taking on a new identity. Jesus was about to start his earthly ministry. Its ultimate goal was the redemption of sinners. He would experience all the burdens of the human condition, including the effects of sin, without being touched by it. During his ministry, he would encounter oppression, corruption, illness, betrayal, suffering and death. The identity Jesus embraced at his Baptism indicated how he shared with all people experiences of the harm caused by sin but his immunity from it gave him the power to redeem them from it.

            As each of us continues on our faith journey, we pick up new dimensions of our identity. Yesterday, after getting my test results back, I found out my identity includes being a Covid 19 patient. While I have tested positive, I seem to be asymptomatic: I do not feel sick in any way. In fact, I feel exactly the same way I have felt for the past few months. I have been in self-isolation since January 1 when a woman to whom I gave Communion at Christmas told me she had tested positive for the virus. I am now staring at remaining in self-isolation for another ten days. When people ask how I feel I tell them I am bored out of my tree.

            This development makes me similar to some individuals (Covid 19 patients) and different from others (the rest of you). Yet, my particular situation makes me different from many Covid 19 patients. The virus has killed over 15,000 Canadians and caused immense suffering to a lot more. It feels a little awkward being placed in the same category as these people. I can’t imagine what it must be like to be a family member, friend or caregiver of one of them.

            What this development has indicated to me is how we are all in this pandemic together. We are more similar to each other than we realize. None of us lives in a bubble safely protected from what is going on around us. We are all fragile and vulnerable. Our lives could be changed fundamentally in a matter of hours. Death may not be an event which will occur in the far future. These realities make a lot of people uncomfortable. They have altered how individuals perceive me, talk about me and treat me since learning about my test result.

            Yet, how I respond to this situation will probably make me different from others. I must realize there are more important things to think about then my situation and rights. I have a duty to protect the people in my Rectory, Office and Parish. My Baptismal identity is a reminder that like Jesus I will experience the effects of sin: the symptoms I develop; the uncertainty about not knowing what will happen next; the confinement of remaining in my rooms; the inability to get things done; and the lack of knowledge about when life returns to normal. Each of these things I offer to God and trust that somehow, they are part of his plan.

            I draw some comfort from the fact that at his Baptism, Jesus expressed his solidarity with the human condition and me. He embraced the effects of sin and then destroyed its power when he died on the cross and redeemed me from it. Perhaps, one of the unexpected consequences of my getting Covid 19 is a better grasp of my Baptismal identity and that of Jesus.

January 10, 2021

Baptism of the Lord

Now when all the people were baptized and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened (Luke 3:22).

            A while ago, I read a story about some parents who were explaining to their son why he was baptized. They stated how Baptism washed away Original Sin, made him a member of the Church and allowed him to receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit. After they finished, he inquired “Was Jesus baptised?” When they answered yes, he asked “Why?” At that moment the parents decided it was time to invite their Parish Priest over for supper.

            In this text from Luke, Jesus is among a large group of people who are baptized by John. By recording the event, Luke indicates the action occurred without explaining its meaning.

            Christ’s Baptism was among the most certain events which occurred during his time on earth. Each of the Gospels either recorded or implied the action. Although Matthew noted John’s hesitation about the event, Jesus stated it fulfilled all righteousness and so the Baptist complied. None of the Evangelists supplied any justification for the action. Yet, they each described some of what happened to Jesus after the event: the heavens opened; the Holy Spirit descended and a voice from heaven called him “my Son”. Perhaps the clear establishment of Christ’s identity as the “Son of God” was the reason for his Baptism. Since Jesus was divine and knew it, the event likely happened for the benefit of later disciples who learned about him through the Scriptures. His first disciples, who had no contact with Christ, learned about this part of his identity from his teachings and miracles. For those with no earthly experience of Jesus, this event made clear his divinity at the very start of the story about him. This certainty provided his followers with a firm understanding of their own identity. Their faith came from a divine rather than human source.

            The Baptism of Jesus helps us understand our own baptismal identity in two ways. First, when we are baptized, we are joined to his Death and Resurrection. Christ’s Death demonstrated that human life was intended for more than earthly existence. He sacrificed it for a greater good: the salvation of sinners. His Resurrection revealed that death was not the end of human existence but led to Eternal Life. Every baptized person becomes “another Christ” who makes their union with him present to the world by how they live out their life. They strive to promote the greater goods of truth and justice and prepare for the life to come. Second, at our Baptism, we are linked to the mystery of the relationship between Christ and his Father. The announcement by the voice from heaven “this is my Son” reveals the close bond between the two. Although Jesus submitted to his Father’s will, there were times when this seemed difficult for him, such as in the Garden of Gethsemane. It is natural for humans to inquire why it was the Father’s will that Jesus had to die. They find it hard to accept certain things which cannot be understood. Through Baptism we enter into a deeper relationship with Jesus and his Father. As we cannot fully understand the dynamics of the bond between them, we cannot completely grasp the forces acting on our relationship with either one. The Sacrament gives us the graces to at least cope with this situation. It is a reminder we are those who can live with the unknown.

            Like the parents in the opening story, we express our faith in the form of propositions. By doing so, it becomes easier to understand and communicate to others. However, propositions do not express the fullness of our beliefs. Baptism does wash away Original Sin, makes us members of the Body of Christ (the Church) and lets us receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Yet, it requires us to abandon our earthly way of understanding life and death as well as accept the mysteries of faith we do not comprehend including the bond between Christ and his Father. Baptism allows us to become comfortable with things propositions cannot express. It gives us an identity which is distinct from the rest of the world because we see it differently.

January 9, 2022

Bad News

Then (Jesus) began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering and be rejected by the elders, the Chief Priests and the Scribes and be killed and after three days rise again” (Mark 8:31).

            Most people don’t like to hear bad news. When they do, they often respond in different ways. Some will deny it, even when presented with evidence which proves that it is true. Others will attempt to distance themselves from the negative impact it is expected to have on their lives. A few will try to change it even when this is impossible. Finally, there are individuals who will accept it and make the best of their new situation.

            In this text from Mark, Jesus tells his disciples he will experience suffering, rejection and death at the hands of the religious authorities in Jerusalem. By doing so, he reveals the bad news about his future then deals with the negative response of Peter to it.

            Peter’s recognition of Jesus as “the Messiah” probably resulted from a number of positive messages heard by the apostle. Christ’s initial proclamation of the arrival of God’s Kingdom and the need for repentance and belief in the Good News gave hope to many Jews during the Roman occupation. His teachings on the Jewish Law challenged traditional practices and beliefs upheld by religious authorities who were often viewed as corrupt. His miracles relieved the suffering of ordinary people and made God’s presence real for them. His exorcisms demonstrated his divine power. The Messiah was the one anointed by God who would bring about a deeper relationship between Him and His people. Jesus announced the Good News for which the Jewish people had long awaited. Yet, along with this good news came some bad news. The defeat of evil was only possible if all its power was opposed in a final confrontation. Repression, corruption, suffering and illness were all the result of sin. Other sins like betrayal, denial, perjury and injustice were in the background. Only after these sins were overcome by a lived witness of love and truth could they be defeated. This was the bad news to which Peter objected. His rebuke was part denial and part rejection and required a harsh response from Jesus. It would only be on Easter morning that Peter would learn this bad news contained within it good news.

            During this Covid 19 Pandemic we have often heard good news followed by bad news in rapid succession. Just as vaccines became available, there were problems with their production and distribution. As the number of vaccinated people grew significantly, news about the Delta Variant (a new form of the virus) was made public. The hopes of those raised by the good news was soon deflated by the bad news. This experience has led many individuals to feel exhausted and hopeless. It has also caused some of them to lose faith in medical experts, ignore measures to stop the spread of the virus or develop their own remedies to fight it with no scientific evidence they will work. Yet, for Catholics and other people of faith, good news and bad news are always joined together. Trusting in God usually leads one down a road full of potholes. Sacrifices often come with a higher cost than expected. Discipleship almost guarantees persecution. The Good News of Easter required the bad news of the Cross. It is hard to remember the Eternal Life which awaits us when the present one is filled with fear and anxiety. Peter’s example is easy to follow. Christ’s reply warns us against doing so. The good news is the bad news will only triumph if we let it.

            Like most people, I don’t really like to hear bad news. However, when it comes I have to choose how to respond to it. I could deny it, distance myself from it or try to change it even when I cannot do so. Or I could decide to accept it and trust God will help me to deal with it.

September 12, 2021

Backfire

On the day that Stephen was killed, a severe persecution began against the Church in Jerusalem and all except the Apostles were scattered throughout the countryside of Judea and Samaria (Acts 8:1).

            Every once in a while I come up with a sure-fire plan to solve a problem. I am convinced I have thought of all the possible consequences of my strategy and so it will be a great success. Yet, occasionally, my plan backfires and causes more problems than it solves. These experiences remind me that a plan is only as good as the information you have and that you have to factor in the unexpected.

            In this text from Acts, the Jewish authorities intend to destroy the Church through a harsh persecution but their efforts lead to its growth into new areas. By do so, they learn the Christian community thrives during periods of oppression.

            The martyrdom of the Deacon Stephen, a leader of the early Church in Jerusalem and an effective proponent of its teachings, was likely intended to prompt fear and confusion among the followers of Jesus. Throughout history, many tyrants have retained their power by using a simple strategy: kill opposition leaders and their supporters will disperse. The Rabbi Gamaliel had just reminded the Jewish Council of previous popular movements which ended when their leadership was executed. With Jesus (the movement’s founder) and Stephen (a local leader) now dead, the Jewish authorities probably thought it was only a matter of time until the other Christian leaders would be killed and their teachings forgotten. Yet, the plan backfired. Persecution prompted the flight of Christians into the surrounding regions (as far as Samaria) which enabled the spread of their doctrines. Dispersed over a larger area, it became more difficult to locate and arrest them. While efforts to do this (led by Saul) continued, it became harder as the persecuted fled further away. As shown by this story, human plans have often backfired when they collided with divine intentions.

            Recently, I heard some people commenting on the fact many of the dire predictions of the number of Covid 19 cases and deaths made by medical and government officials did not happen. For some individuals this seems to prove these experts do not know what they are talking about and the restrictions they imposed should be relaxed. Their plans backfired. Although I am not an expert on computer modeling, I know a projection is only as good as the data you have and can only outline possible scenarios. If you look at what was happening in Italy four to six weeks ago and the rate of increase within Canada the projections made were reasonable. With only a limited knowledge about the virus (how fast could it spread) and no idea if Canadians would follow the guidelines laid out by the experts (how much could the spread be reduced) such variables made it difficult for the modelers to make predictions. Was it not better to err on the side of caution? It would be ironic if a plan to relax the restrictions imposed because of Covid 19 in an effort to get things back to “normal” backfired because of a large increase in new infections.

            Catholics and other people of faith are aware how frequently their plans can backfire. It is a reminder God is in charge of the world not them. They must learn to become comfortable with uncertainty. Perhaps, they can teach others how to master that challenge. It isn’t that individuals and organizations should not be planning for how they are going to get through the pandemic and after it but to remember they may encounter a few backfires along the way.

April 29, 2020

Soft Power

The Centurion said through his friends to Jesus “I did not presume to come to you. But only speak the word and let my servant be healed” (Lk. 7:7).

            When I was a boy, my parents exercised their authority over me in an interesting way. If they wanted me to do something they rarely used harsh words or threats of punishment. Instead, my parents would explain to me why I should comply with their request. They would model the behaviour they expected me to follow. On a few occasions, they resorted to positive incentives to gain my cooperation. At the time, this was an unusual way for parents to exercise their power but it almost never failed. After I grew up, I followed their example and found it effective in dealing with people. This form of “soft power” is sometimes seen as a weakness but its strength may lie in the subtle way it achieves its objectives.

            In this text from Luke, the interaction between Jesus and the Centurion demonstrates how Christ can use “soft power” to bring individuals into a relationship with him.

            Within the Hebrew Scriptures/Old Testament authority was equated with the ability to get things done. While all power came from God, it was given to individuals, some of whom used it in a harsh manner. When Satan received authority over everything but the person of Job, terrible suffering was inflicted on the prophet to get him to curse God. King Nebuchadnezzar threatened severe punishments on the Jewish exiles to get them to worship his gods. Through warfare King Cyrus of Persia conquered the Babylonians and became the new rulers of the Jewish people. Yet, in each case these uses of harsh “hard power” produced a result different from the one expected. In spite of the hardships inflicted by Satan on Job, the prophet never cursed God. Righteousness prevailed over evil. The Babylonian Exile tested the fidelity of the Jewish people but a remanent preserved their covenant with God. Although a pagan, the powerful Cyrus became the instrument by which the Jews returned to Isarel and rebuilt their Temple. Clearly, these stories indicated the limitations of “hard power”.

            Luke’s account of Christ’s encounter with the Centurion revealed the usefulness of “soft power”. As commander of the local Roman garrison, the Centurion could have used his authority to force the local Jewish community to obey his commands. As a military officer, he was used to having his orders carried out. But instead, he chose to foster good will with them by constructing their synagogue. When his servant became ill, he had probably heard stories about Jesus healing the sick and hoped for some intervention by him. The Centurion could have commanded Christ to appear before him but this use of “hard power” was unlikely to produce the desired result. It was his faith, that Jesus could help him, and humility, declaring his unworthiness to present his request in person, which revealed he recognized Christ’s superior authority. Jesus responded to the Centurion’s approach by first offering to visit the sick servant and then healing him without doing so. Christ understood his power to draw individuals, like this pagan soldier, into a deeper relationship with him was often best achieved not through dramatic but subtle actions.

            Within our modern world, “hard power” has become the more common way to get things done. The strong intimidate the weak with harsh rhetoric and threats of negative consequences if they do not comply. The powerless are dehumanized and considered expendable. Yet, as history demonstrates, the balance of power shifts over time. The weak gain strength while the powerful lose their ability to dominate. In the short term, “hard power” can be effective. But the sense of resentment and injustice it creates can lead to problems. Most human institutions learn, often the hard way, that “soft power’ can be the best course of action in the long run.

            The Church has also had to learn this lesson. In the past, Catholics have used their power to burn heretics at the stake, force conversions and persecute people of other faiths. These events are now looked upon as mistakes which require penance and reconciliation with those who were harmed. As our society becomes more secular, the Church should adopt a “soft power” approach. As Pope Benedict XVI wrote, “it must propose and not impose its beliefs on our world”. While this does not mean it should compromise the faith, it must use reasoned arguments to present its doctrines and be prepared to listen to opposing perspectives about them. Respect must be shown to those with whom we converse even when it is not reciprocated. Harsh rhetoric and threats of punishment have no place in this process.

            As my parents taught me, authority when used in a temperate and subtle way will usually achieve positive results. During his earthly mission, Jesus took this approach on many occasions including his interaction with the centurion. Catholics would be wise to follow his example.

May 29, 2019