When I was a senior in high school I joined a prayer group that met in my church. We prayed in many ways, including song. One night a man sang something that touched my heart, a composition by a new group called the “St. Louis Jesuits.” The first line of the song was from Psalm 127: “If the Lord does not build the house, then in vain to do the builders labor.”* Years later, this verse has taken on greater meaning because my husband and I are in the midst of building a new house. Just as no person, thing, or process in life is ever perfect, the progression of construction has included a few bumps. In praying about these things, the song from the St. Louis Jesuits began to run through my head once again. At first I jokingly quipped about the song verse, since it seemed we would need heavenly help to get through the construction process. But with more earnest reflection, I realized that it is not the structure I should be concerned about so much as what kind of home it will be. That is, if we, the laborers, do not let the Lord build our inner life, the house of our souls will be lopsided, focused on self rather than God, and in danger of collapse. We cannot build the house ourselves: if we insist on going it alone, without God’s grace, we cannot progress in our growth in holiness. But if the Lord builds a home within our hearts, then we can prosper in holiness and become a refuge of mercy, peace, and love for those who enter into relationship with us. We become holy ground because God takes up residence within, and hopefully our demeanor will in turn make God’s presence evident in our domicile so that it becomes a place of welcome and peace.

​Advent began this past weekend with readings that emphasized being ready and alert. We heard from Isaiah that we should remain watchful so as to be found holy when the Lord arrives. He admonished that the people were in danger of God arriving and finding them steeped in sin. Isaiah acknowledged how much we need God’s help to stay on the right path when he wrote, “...we are the clay and you are the potter; we are all the work of your hands.” (Isaiah 64:7) Therefore, the Lord must be the builder, the potter, while we acknowledge that we are His creation and that He has created us for beauty. But these words clearly express that we cannot create ourselves: we need the creator to build and to sustain our lives. 

The gospel for the first Sunday of Advent continues the theme of readiness: “May He not come suddenly and find you sleeping.” (Mark 13:37) The potter can only be affective if the clay cooperates: if the clay is too dry it will crumble and if it is too wet if will not take shape. In other words, we have a responsibility to be ready, by nurturing the gift we are, drinking in what Jesus offers, (His Body and Blood as well as His words). If we do not reflect upon His teaching and also partake in His Body and Blood, our spiritual life will dry out and crumble. But if we take it upon ourselves to grow in the spiritual life without direction or discernment, we will drown in our good intentions as we attempt to follow our own counsel and not that of God. However, we should not worry about getting the balance correct because if we let God do the building and are open and docile like ‘healthy’ clay, then He will offer the graces needed to be formed in holiness. It is not about our perfection, but rather it is about His love. If we try to do as Jesus teaches in the gospels and if we spend time in prayer, the Lord is surely building the house.

While the readings for the first week this year do not mention the people and events we most associate with Advent, the themes are nonetheless important. Advent is a season of preparation and readiness for what is to come; but we do so with joyful expectation. Indeed, our focus is on the coming of Jesus and on the wonder of a beautiful, pregnant young woman who has willingly been overshadowed by the Holy Spirit, and on a man who is willing to build a house (a family) with her; we should remember that neither the man (Joseph) or the woman (Mary) fully understood, but both kept saying ‘yes’ to God over and again. Perhaps we can follow in their footsteps by letting the Lord lead, even though we do not understand, as He builds His home within our soul and His house within our world. We do not work in vain if we work with God, even if our heart seems to us like a crude stable, ill-fitting as His home. But remember that if God chose to be born into a stable 2000 years ago, He saw that place not as crude, but rather as the most fitting place for Him to enter into our world. He could have chosen any home, but He chose that one. So why, then, do we think He would even hesitate to build a fitting home in the humble space within our heart to be born anew? Be at peace, for He comes.

May we continue to prepare our hearts for the Lord to dwell within in a new way! May we allow the Lord to build the house of our heart and soul! May we be willing to labor with Jesus in serving others by evangelizing through our words and deeds! And may we be a welcoming presence, a refuge of love, for those who are lonely, lost, or neglected during this Advent season! Let us meet in the Heart of Jesus! Marana tha! Come O Lord! Peace!

                                                                                  ©Michele L. Catanese
* The song If the Lord Does Not Build the House  was written by Dan Schutte and is found in the album Earthen Vessels by the St. Louis Jesuits. The name of the song, (also the verse quoted), is Psalm 127:1. You can hear it at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TN_ejm0LqM

NOTE: I will not be posting an entry on December 14, which ordinarily would be a scheduled posting date. (I usually post every other Monday.) I will be taking a short break through the rest of Advent. If you do want something to assist your Advent reflections, I suggest that you go to my Archives and explore what I have written for Advent in previous years. I will post again on December 28. Thank you and have a blessed, fruitful Advent. (FYI: The entry for December, 2017 would have been based on the same readings as those of this Advent.)
2017 https://www.catanesesd.com/micheles-blog/embracing-the-darkness-of-night
2018 https://www.catanesesd.com/micheles-blog/a-humble-season
2019 https://www.catanesesd.com/micheles-blog/where-god-is-found  

Images:
1. My photo. That is our new house in its beginning stages.
2. Painting, Chrysanthemums in a Chinese Vase, by Camille Pissarro. (1873) Though this is a painting it, depicts a complex piece of pottery. https://www.wikiart.org/en/camille-pissarro/chrysanthemums-in-a-chinese-vase-1873
3. My photo, taken at Masi Vineyards (Tenuto Canova) in Veneto, Italy. This photo has symbols within it that seem to have biblical relevance: the well, wine, and trees... ('He is the vine and we are the branches'...close enough)… all imagery used by Jesus in John's gospel.
4. Icon, The Mother of God Overshadowed by the Holy Spirit by Fr. William Hart McNichols. You can find this moving icon in one of many mediums at https://fineartamerica.com/featured/the-mother-of-god-overshadowed-by-the-holy-spirit-118-william-hart-mcnichols.html
5 & 6. Prints, Advent Wreaths. 

NOTE: In compliance with GDPR rules, I wish to make it clear that I do not gather any information on any of my readers at any time. ​

In the city where I live a Christian radio station has billboards placed around town which bear the message “God listens.”  It is a brilliant word play because it humorously implies that God listens to their radio station while simultaneously expressing the reality that God listens to us. This short statement is an encouragement to enter into prayer, reminding us that God is always available and listens to everything we share with Him. It also implies that God does more than merely hear; He also acts. However, we must realize that God acts with His own wisdom and not according to ours. When we say God is in control (and He is!) we must realize that it does not mean He is a ‘puppet-master’ or that everything will go the way we prefer no matter how good our desires are; what it means is that in the end the ultimate victory will be His. And it means that if we remain faithful and steadfast, we will have a share in that victory. To find peace and hope in the midst of a confusing world, then, we need not look to that which is external. Rather, wisdom directs us to look within for God’s movements: God acts most powerfully within hearts that seek Him. Therefore we, too, must listen so that our hearts will be moved to action. We are His hands and feet in the world, so cultivating a listening heart through prayer is essential, especially when living in times and situations that make little sense to us. In listening we gain wisdom, but also we grow in love for God. Indeed, God listens and God does hear us in perfect wisdom accompanied by boundless mercy and love. 

These last weeks in the liturgical year remind us that God’s wisdom is extended to us so that we can remain alert, prepared, and ready: during November the focus is on ‘end things,’ the month beginning with recognition of the saints and holy souls who have gone before us and ending with the Feast of Christ the King who will return victoriously at the end of time. A good example is the readings from the 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, (two weeks prior to Christ the King), which were about the wisdom we need in order to be ready for when Christ returns. In the first reading we heard that wisdom is “readily perceived by those who love her and found by those who seek her.” (Wisdom 6:12) God wants us to be equipped with all the spiritual gifts we need to withstand the temptations, difficult events, and sufferings which come into our lives. Therefore, wisdom is available to all of us, not just a select few, that we may use the gift to navigate the pathway through life. The reading goes on to say that wisdom, (the Holy Spirit), wants to be made known to us; that is, God does not engage in spiritual ‘hide and seek,’ but makes a serious offering to enable us to be ready, attentive, discerning, comforted, strengthened, and active. The author says that we shall not be disappointed if we go out to meet wisdom; that is, if we seek wisdom in our prayer, we will find it. But the last line of the passage is the most revealing: “… because she [wisdom] … graciously appears to them in the ways, and meets them with all solicitude.” (Wisdom 6:12-16) Solicitude means “an attitude expressing excessive attentiveness.”* Therefore the writer is saying that wisdom seeks us with excessive attentiveness. That is: God listens, God hears, God offers, God empowers and He excessively desires that we receive.

The gospel for the 32nd Sunday was the parable of the 10 virgins, 5 wise and 5 foolish. The ones who were wise were the ones who had previously sought out wisdom and thus they were ready for the Bridegroom’s arrival. They were listening for God’s movements, allowing His excessive attentiveness to be cultivated within them through their prayer, empowering them to do the same. Therefore, they were alert to His arrival. But they were unable to share any of their oil with the other 5 virgins, not due to selfishness, but because one cannot impart God’s wisdom to another; only God can give His wisdom. Thus, when the foolish finally went off to seek it, they missed entrance into the wedding feast. 

God is excessive in His attentiveness to us; we can seek the gift of His wisdom during our prayer and through our study of the Gospels knowing that God pays attention to our needs and desires. As we pray with Scripture we can observe what Jesus did, how He acted with mercy, compassion, forgiveness, and love that we might “go and do likewise.” (Luke 10:37) If we pour out our hearts to the Lord knowing how attentive He is and listen attentively in response, we can find wisdom; and if are inspired by Him, we can in turn help others to find wisdom, too. Remember that since we remain imperfect ‘receptacles,’ having access to God’s wisdom does not mean our choices and understandings will be perfect. But the more we trust God, the more we will grow in acceptance of that which is beyond us, the more our hope will be inflamed against despair and discontent, and the more love will take up residence in our hearts. After all, wisdom is nothing less than God’s love embraced and shared. 

May we seek God’s wisdom through prayer, study of Scripture, and the example of the holy ones! May we trust that God listens and that He is excessively attentive to us! May we learn to listen to God and to one another more attentively! May we grow in our preparation for Christ to return! And may our hearts be moved through wisdom to offer compassion, works of mercy and justice, peace, and love! Let us meet in the heart of Jesus! Peace!

                                 ©Michele L. Catanese

* Definition from Dictionary.com

Images:
1. My photo, Crater Lake, Oregon.
2. Painting, Evening, 1907 by Frederick Childe Hassam.
3. Russian icon, The Ten Virgins. 
4. My photo, taken in the Black Hills of South Dakota.
5. Image, Jesus Listen and Pray by Fr. William Hart McNichols. If you are interested in obtaining a copy you can find this image at https://fineartamerica.com/featured/jesus-listen-and-pray-251-william-hart-mcnichols.html. I also recommend looking over Fr. Bill's works for Christmas card ideas. https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/william-hart-mcnichols
(Remember, I receive no remuneration for endorsing the work of Fr. Bill McNichols. But I do receive great joy in 'sharing the wealth' in the beauty of his work!)

NOTE: In compliance with GDPR rules, I wish to make it clear that I do not gather any information on any of my readers at any time. 

Children usually have dreams of what they want to be when they grow up. They go through phases, changing aspirations frequently. With maturity, some get a clearer idea of what they desire to pursue, while for others it gets cloudier. At some point, however, most people do find a passion for something, even if it is by stumbling onto it. Part of this process also involves developing a vocational sense; that is, we discover whether we are called to be a spouse and parent (if God so gifts us with children), to be a priest, deacon, or religious, or to remain single. It is essential to discern a vocational call, but having a deep desire can be a good indication that we are moving in the correct direction. However, no matter what way of life and career we discern, we all share a common call to know, serve, and love the Lord. And regardless of what career and vocation we are called to live, love is the root and center of every soul. God made it clear from the very first lines of His revelation (recorded in Scripture) that life is sacred because it is all about love: we were created from Love, in love, and to love. Thus, our every action should be a witness to love. To help us, God offers His grace: that is, if we draw from God Himself, we have an endless wellspring of love from which to drink. (John 4, John 6:54)

​Because God is Love, He wants us to share in His very being. Therefore, at Baptism He lays a powerful foundation by offering the grace of love (along with faith and hope). All the Sacraments provide graces which build on love because they all flow from the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus who is the greatest gift of love God has ever offered His people: the salvation Jesus offers cleanses and heals all our unloving acts and tendencies, but it also empowers us to fulfill our mission as disciples. Therefore, it is our responsibility to offer the gift we have received as a gift to others. (Matthew 10:8)  In the gospel we specifically hear Jesus declare the importance of love when He states the greatest commandment: “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” In other words, love God with everything you are. Without the slightest pause Jesus continued, “The second is like to it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The whole law and the prophets depend on it.” (Matthew 22:34-40) That is, if you want to love God, love His people: you cannot love one without the other. Everything depends on love.

If we are uncertain as to how we are to serve God, especially in trying times when the ways in which we used to proceed are either on hold or are tenuous at best, or if we are feeling like a boat adrift, unsure of how we can make a difference, it might be good to ponder our call, remembering that we are created for a purpose, a unique way to express our love. St. John Henry Newman wrote a reflection which could offer some insight; read it while remembering that we are created from Love, in love, and to love. Our love may take on different expressions, but the fact remains that all of us, if we can do nothing else, can love.
Newman wrote: “God has created me to do Him some definite service; He has committed some work to me which He has not committed to another. I have my mission …. I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons. He has not created me for naught. I shall do good, I shall do His work; I shall be an Angel of peace, a preacher of truth in my own place, while not intending it, if I do but keep His commandments and serve Him in my calling. Therefore, I will trust Him. Whatever, wherever I am, I can never be thrown away. If I am in sickness, my sickness may serve Him; in perplexity, my perplexity may serve Him; if I am in sorrow, my sorrow may serve Him. My sickness, or perplexity, or sorrow may be necessary causes of some great end, which is quite beyond us…. He knows what He is about.” *

Let us accept the call to serve in love. This means allowing God to forgive us our trespasses so we can forgive those of others; it means accepting that others are loved by God equally as to the way we are loved by Him; it means praying for the grace to be less selfish and then taking challenging opportunities to do just that. It means not only praying for love to ‘somehow’ work in others, but acting with love in order to be a model, (we are the ‘somehow’), and praying for our enemies, but then acting like we mean it. This is not about being disingenuous, but rather it means that we are willing to enter into the struggle to love when we truly feel that we cannot. ** If we draw from our baptismal gifts (of which love is central) and spend time in prayer, perhaps we will also find some peace amidst the chaos. No matter what it is we do or what our limitations may be, we can all drink from the wellspring of love, who is God, so that we might live the purpose for which we were made.

May we trust in God’s love and let His love empower us to love in turn! May we discern and then live our unique purpose and mission as a disciple of Christ! And may we take to heart the words of Jesus, understanding that when we love, we live the entire gospel message through our efforts! Let us meet in the heart of Jesus! Peace!
​
                                                                              ©Michele L. Catanese

Notes:
* Meditations and Devotions 400-401; Prayers, Verses and Devotions 338-339, St. John Henry Newman.
If you are interested in more on St. John Henry Newman I wrote about him in June of 2018, specifically referring to his famous poem, "Lead Kindly Light." You can find it in my archives for June 2018 or click here: https://www.catanesesd.com/micheles-blog/hope-the-heart-of-the-good-news   (You can access just about everything I have ever written in the archives, too.) 
** Remember that love does not mean ‘like’ nor does it mean that we condone everything.

Images:
1. My photo, lilies in a lily pad, outside Washington, D.C.
2. Icon, La Sangre de Cristo, by Fr. William Hart McNichols. If you are interested in this icon you can find it at: fineartamerica.com/featured/la-sangre-de-cristo-242-william-hart-mcnichols.html
3. Icon, Blessed Cardinal John Henry Newman, by Fr. William Hart McNichols. (At the time this icon was written Newman was not yet canonized.) You can find this icon at https://fineartamerica.com/featured/blessed-cardinal-john-henry-newman-221-william-hart-mcnichols.html
4. Painting, First Steps, After Millet, by Vincent van Gogh. Van Gogh was recovering in an asylum when he painted this, inspired by the paintings of Millet. For more go to Van Gogh www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/436526
5. My photo, mountains in Colorado outside Silverthorne. 

NOTE: In compliance with GDPR rules, I wish to make it clear that I do not gather any information on any of my readers at any time.