Blog Archives
Entrances
I was recently watching reels of extravagant entrances to weddings, sweet sixteens and other parties. In one the groom arrived riding on an elephant, another had a bride arriving in a Cinderella style carriage with six white horses, and a sweet sixteener had her entourage carry her in on an elaborate golden chair. With all of it there was lots of pomp and circumstance including music to accompany the entrance. All the people who awaited their arrival were dressed beautifully and excitedly clapped at their arrival. Now that the entrance had happened the real fun could start. It was definitely something to behold. While I was watching all of it, I could not help but contrast the quietness of Christ’s arrival.
The king of all creation arrives and there is no big hoopla. Scripture lets us know a few details. It occurred in the quiet of the night, during a busy time (a census), in a small village. Mary and Joseph found no space at an inn and in the humble abode of a manger (a cave used for baby lambs or a barn) Jesus arrives. No kings, no dignitaries were present, no friends, no family. Just a young holy virgin and her righteous husband. But heaven doesn’t let this go by in full silence. Angels excited at the new arrival- go and sing- not to the king or the rich tucked away in comfy inns surrounded by their wealth. They go to the fields – to the shepherds – the ones sleeping under the stars. They are the ones who get to see the angles light up the sky, sing and proclaim “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests. (Luke 2 10-14)
Some biblical scholars think that the reason Satan didn’t know if Jesus was indeed the Christ is because of His humble entrance. Satan, who is the father of pride, would expect an entrance worthy of God. Not poverty, indifference and darkness. In a world full of noise where we strive to be seen and heard, how are we missing God’s daily coming into our lives?
Take the following interaction between Elijah and God
Then the LORD said: Go out and stand on the mountain before the LORD; the LORD will pass by. There was a strong and violent wind rending the mountains and crushing rocks before the LORD—but the LORD was not in the wind; after the wind, an earthquake—but the LORD was not in the earthquake; after the earthquake, fire—but the LORD was not in the fire; after the fire, a light silent sound. When he heard this, Elijah hid his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. A voice said to him, “Why are you here, Elijah?” (1 Kings 19 11-13)
Here in the silence is where Elijah can hear God speak to him.
We have come to believe that big entrances, opulence, and lots of noise equal important things. I remember a failing restaurant that put a bouncer and a stanchion outside and instantly became popular. Don’t get me wrong- I am not putting down the people described above and their entrances. What I did want to point out is that sometimes we miss God because He comes in simple ways. No grand entrances. And sometimes God misses us because we feel like we have to be something more before we can come to Him.
God is not calling for us to make big entrances, He is just asking us to be present. To allow ourselves to notice Him throughout the day and acknowledge Him in both His greatness and in the little things. Because He is indeed the creator of all good things – He will be found in all.
Why am I sharing this right before Lent and not during Advent? Because my dear friend, God wants to be found. As we approach the desert let us remember what He told Jeremiah “When you call me, and come and pray to me, I will listen to you. When you look for me, you will find me. Yes, when you seek me with all your heart, I will let you find me” Jerimiah 12-14. So, this lent, come to God in your littleness. Walk into the desert as you are because “God does not see as a mortal, who sees the appearance. The Lord looks into the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7). And if your heart is just as messy as a manger- don’t worry He has been there before and knows how to make it a home.
Have a blessed Lent!
The Gift of Salvation
Years ago, when my youngest, Isabelle was about 5 we were sitting around the dinner table speaking about what we would be giving up for lent. As we went around the table, each one of us would select a Lenten penitence. Suddenly Isabelle says, “I don’t get it.” When I asked her what she didn’t get, she replied “lent”. So, we gave her an explanation (as much as you can give to a 5-year-old). She still had a blank look on her face and said “yeah I don’t get it” we spoke to her again of Jesus going into the desert for 40 days and how we joined Jesus in this mission. She still had the blank look… before going on- being the good and very patient mom that I am :D, I asked her what don’t you get? She replied “lent– what did we borrow? “
After the giggling and shaking of our heads, we replied, nothing lent, just given….
A few years later I unboxed that story and looked at it in a different way. I contemplated how fortunate we are that our salvation is not something borrowed- or on temporary loan to us. Our salvation is a gift freely given.
Ephesians 2 4- 10 says:
But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages He might show the incomparable riches of His grace, expressed in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.
We are given Salvation as a gift. I started to contemplate this. I thought of all the great and not so great gifts I have been given throughout my lifetime. I thought of how I have treated all those gifts. Some with reverence and others I could honestly not tell you that I know where they are now. The more precious the gift, the more I needed to treat it with kid gloves, putting it away and bringing it out on special occasions, not wanting to have it damaged in any way. My most treasured gift is a ring my mother left me when she passed on to be with Our Lord. It is a beautiful ring, and I only use it on special occasions, each time I bring it out, it makes me feel close to her. Is this how I experience my gift of salvation as well?
Am I the Christian who comes to Mass and then returns my relationship with Christ to the shelf until next time we meet again? Returning to my gift as I need it or when I have time? Or, at times am I overwhelmed by this gift and feel unworthy of it? I know that when my father gave me the ring, I handed it back, I felt so unworthy, surely, she meant one of my other sisters to have such a treasure. The words “Your mother wanted you to have this”, brought tears to my eyes. How could that be? My sisters were all closer to her. This ring reminds me constantly that Our Father in heaven doesn’t give us according to our merit but according to His limitless love and mercy. I think many of us struggle with feeling worthy of salvation, so instead of basking in the love of the Father, we shy away. I know it took me some time to even wear my mom’s ring. I thought it was too much and I didn’t feel worthy of having received it. I hope we don’t do the same with the gift of salvation our heavenly Father has lavished on us. It’s not about being worthy, it’s about being loved.
I think that our relationship with Christ must become an everyday gift, not the one that comes out occasionally. When I wear my mother’s ring, I get to share her memories with everyone I meet- same with my gift of salvation. Let’s share that with everyone.
Years ago, there used to be a show on PBS-The Antiques Roadshow. I remember a gentleman who had a hat from one of the Conquistadores. It was all metal and beautifully engraved. All the antiques dealers came to his station to look at this precious item. The appraiser was asked to verify its authenticity and price. He went on about this object’s history. When asked about the price – he looked at the hats owner and asked him a question. Why is the hat so shiny? The gentleman sheepishly bowed his head and said it was extremely dirty and I was embarrassed to bring it here in that condition, so I spent hours polishing it. The price went from over 300,000 to about 10,000 – you see in polishing it up he took away the patina.
We should not be shy about our gift of salvation; it should make us stand out, for it draws others to Him. Sometimes the best compliment I can receive is not “have you lost weight?”; but “are you a Christian?” We need to be well worn Christians. Full of the patina of Christ. In today’s society we are often timid in showing our Christian patina. Being frail enough to say that amid my joy or sorrows I turn to Christ. Our frailty is what brings us closer to Jesus since this is where we need Him most. This is also where we draw others to Jesus. Because it is in the worn patches of our lives that God’s love and salvation shine through. When I can testify of His love at the darkest moments of my life others can be strengthened. This gift of salvation comes to us when and where we need it. Let us humble ourselves before the throne of mercy, implore God for it and realize that we are all in need of saving. Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” So, when you find yourself shying away from this very lavish gift remember that Jesus earned it for us while we were still in sin. It is not something that we can earn, rather it is something God gives freely and all we need to do is say thank you and treasure it.
As we get ready to enter this Lenten season with Jesus, let us focus on this treasure purchased at so high a price. Let us honor it by daily giving thanks and becoming well-worn Christians letting God’s light shine through. May this Lent bring us all closer to the heart of Jesus.
Finding God In The Everyday 