Cambodia-Thailand Conflict
Dittmeier Christmas Time
Today the Dittmeier family had their Christmas gathering at Nazareth Home Clifton where I live. This was a first because always before we met at my sister Mary and husband Mike’s home. The out-of-state families with children came this year, though, so we moved to Nazareth Home where there was more room for the children to play. It was a delightful gathering.
Christmas Time
John’s gospel begins with “In the beginning was the Word….and the Word was God…. All things came to be through him”. Creation spirituality asks us to consider that the Incarnation–God becoming human and part of creation–was not just a one-time event with the birth of Christ but that God was incarnate in creation from the beginning, from the Big Bang.
In Luke’s gospel, in his account of the birth of May’s son, he reminds us three times that Jesus was born in the city of David. There, when the promised savior is born, shepherds and angels–representing the land and the sky, the earth and the heavens, the totality of creation–rejoice together. The Incarnate One is part of all creation, not just the human species.
Christmas Time
On Christmas Eve, the psalm instructs all creation to rejoice–the sky and the land, the sea and the plains, even the trees–because God is coming to rule with world with justice. Likewise, the prophet Isaiah proclaims that the son to be born is cause for rejoicing because he upholds and sustains justice. People who have been burdened will stand up straight; those who walked in darkness will emerge into the light.
Christmas Day
Christmas is more than the opportunity to reflect on the innocence of the child Jesus lying among the sheep and the cattle. It is mean to focus our attention on the wonder of God’s desire to become one with humanity and thus all of creation
Christmas Eve
The St. Boniface Christmas Eve service started with a blessing of the nativity scene.
A Catholic funeral in a Catholic church
Today I had a funeral for a parishioner of St. Boniface. It was the first funeral I have celebrated since my return, and it was certainly different from the funerals I had in Cambodia, most of which were held in Buddhist pagodas.
Finishing Advent
After the 11:00 AM mass today, the parishioners got busy changing the theme of the sanctuary from Advent to Christmas.
Local shepherds were seen near the nativity scene by the sanctuary and were invited to take their places early.
I have a funeral at St. Boniface on Tuesday, but after that we can start setting out flowers and making other arrangements for the Christmas Eve 5:00 PM liturgy.
Fourth Sunday of Advent
The readings on the Fourth Sunday of Advent see God speaking to Ahaz, Joseph, and Mary, and giving them instructions. We see how they responded, either acting with faith or ignoring God’s call.
In what way is God calling us to serve those experiencing poverty, loneliness and illness this Advent? Let us bring the joy of Jesus into every interaction during these grace-filled days of Advent. May the Lord guide us toward ways to share His love and hope with the world.
Signs of decency not wanted
In the past, American Sign language interpreters were provided for White House press briefings and other events so that U.S. deaf people could understand. The Trump White House ended that practice, saying it “would severely intrude on the President’s prerogative to control the image he presents to the public.”
The White House has a point. Trump has presented an image of one who mocks people with disabilities; routinely verbally abuses and disrespects people; is against inclusion; and flouts and ignores laws that he doesn’t like. Facilitating communications for deaf people could intrude on the negative image that he has created.
The National Association of the Deaf is suing to have sign language interpreting restored at the White House.