Christmas traditions

Christmas has always been my favorite time of year.  My tastes are very old-fashioned and traditional.  I still love the old C9 outdoor lights on an evergreen tree and I have decorated one in my front yard every year since we bought our first house in 1975.  Our first indoor tree was scotch pine.  We eventually went to white pine, and then discovered Frasier Fir which became our favorite, still with the old colored bulbs.  The wonderful fragrance of the Frasier Fir just added to the festive atmosphere.

 

For the past dozen years or so, we have been empty nesters.  Christmases weren’t quite the same although I kept up with the decorations each year. In 2020, my wife and I both turned seventy years old.  For the first time ever, we opted to purchase an artificial Christmas tree. Oh, it was nice with pre-lit LED lights that would change color with the touch of a remote control, but some of the magic was gone.  My wife and my son were both organists at Catholic Churches some 600 miles apart, making it impossible for us to get together on Christmas when they both had obligations.  That fact somewhat dampened my Christmas spirit, making the artificial tree a little more tolerable.  

 

Last August, our quiet retired lifestyle took a sudden turn.  Circumstances at the parish where my son was Liturgy and Music director, forced them to cut his position back from full time to part time.  His wife and my four grandchildren had always hoped to move closer to Indiana where both families originated, and they took this as an opportunity to make the move.  With no immediate prospects for employment, the family of six moved in with us.  For the first time since our own children were small, we are going to have four youngsters ranging in age from four to ten in our home at Christmas.  This Christmas would be special. 

 

We all cling to those Christmas memories from our childhood in the hopes of recreating them each year.  Only in December can we turn on contemporary radio and hear Gene Autry, Burl Ives, Nat King Cole, Andy Williams, and Bing Crosby.  Someday our grandchildren will grow up and look back on Christmases when they listened to Mariah Carey or Justin Bieber.  Well, maybe not, but you get the idea.  Anyway, I wanted to make this Christmas like those I remember from my childhood.

 

I knew immediately the artificial Christmas tree was staying in the attic this year.  I wanted my grandchildren to experience going to the Christmas tree farm and picking out the perfect tree.  We did it last weekend. Although we elected not to cut the tree ourselves, we did find a beautiful Frasier Fir that is now standing in our living room arrayed in old-fashioned colored lights and ornaments.  The children hung their stockings on the fireplace mantle where Saint Nicholas generously filled them on December 6^th.  Our formerly quiet abode is now filled with laughter, badly sung Christmas carols, and the aroma of Christmas baking.  

 

My mother-in-law always made fruitcake every Christmas season, not the hard kind nobody likes, but a tasty juicy cake like no other.  She developed a reputation for her fruitcake to the point where friends and acquaintances would ask her to make it for them each year.  Since her passing several years ago, we have missed the annual treat.  This year, my daughter-in-law decided to try bringing it back.  We had a copy of the recipe, and I must admit, it turned out just as I remembered it.  Perhaps a new generation will carry on grandma’s fruitcake tradition.  

 

My six-year-old granddaughter was in a Christmas dance recital with her ballet class last Sunday afternoon.  We sat through two and half hours of watching somebody else’s kids dance in order to see my granddaughter perform for two and a half minutes.  Her other grandfather drove two hours one way for the same experience so I shouldn’t complain!  

 

The presents are now piling up around the tree and the anticipation is bursting among all four of the grandchildren.  It brings back memories, not only of raising my kids, but even my own childhood when I wanted so badly to open at least one gift early.  My parents would never allow it and I won’t either.  I want to enjoy this Christmas season to the fullest.  At my age, there won’t be many more.   It is the most wonderful time of the year.  

 

Amidst all the festivities, let us not forget whose birthday we are celebrating.  I'm hoping to get the older grandchildren to come with us to Midnight Mass.  We will see how it goes!  Wishing everyone a very Blessed Christmas and a Joyful Healthy New Year!

 

 

 

November lament

A few thoughts after attending Mass on All Saints Day.  First of all, the pews were mostly empty, fourteen present by my count.  Granted, it fell on a Monday this year, so it was not a Holy Day of Obligation, but it was still a Holy Day.  Had we been obligated to attend Mass, I’m sure many more would have come.  This is the downside of obligated Mass attendance.  People tend to lose sense of the real reason we go to Mass.  We should go because we want to, not because we have to. 

Some priests foster this mentality by getting lackadaisical in the celebration of the solemnities.  The Mass had no music or singing, no servers, nothing beyond a regular weekday Mass except for reciting the Gloria and a second scripture reading.  We learn to celebrate a Holy Day falling on a Monday by being able to stay home.  It’s the same mentality we had as children when snow prevented us from going to school.  Somehow, our motivations have become skewed.  It just makes me wonder how many would stay home on Sundays too if the Mass obligation was relaxed. 

Those who did come were mostly the older members of the parish.  A few of them were daily Mass goers who would normally go on Mondays anyway.  On a positive note, one mother brought her three young children.  I happen to know they traveled a considerable distance.  If only more parents understood the importance of instilling this behavior in their children.  

Tomorrow is All Souls Day.  When I was growing up, a priest was permitted to say three Masses on All Souls Day.  We had two priests in our parish, so there were six Masses in a row, one right after another.  It was not a Holy Day of Obligation, but most Catholics went to at least one or two Masses.  Our parish will have only one Mass, and it will not be well attended, I am sure.  In full disclosure, I won’t be going either.  I too get lackadaisical in the practice of my faith.  It’s contagious.  The toned-down liturgies, the scandals, the confusion over the Church’s apparent tolerance of pro-abortion Catholic politicians, all these things have an effect on the temperature of our faith commitment.  We need to stay positive.  We need to celebrate!

A Word to the Unwise

I have been doing the Ascension Press Bible in a Year program.  Father Mike Schmitz leads a daily podcast of Scripture readings lasting 365 (or maybe 366) consecutive days.  I just finished day 287.  Some of the Old Testament is hard for me to follow.  Lots of names, tribes, conflicts, and lands.  I marvel at how Father Mike pronounces them all without missing a beat.  I should consider repeating this again next year as I would certainly get more out of it the second time through.  

The daily readings currently include the Book of Sirach and Proverbs where so much wisdom can be found.  Many verses seem to address concerns relevant to current times.   For example, social media is filled with polarizing arguments about mandatory vaccines, voter rights, cancel culture, budget ceilings, court packing, half truths and complete fabrications.  Conspiracy theories abound.  If people today would heed the advice of some Old Testament writers, our society would be much more respectful.  So here are some biblical words of wisdom for everyone to consider before posting anything on social media.

Proverbs 18:2  A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.

Proverbs 18:17  He who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him.

Proverbs 20:3  It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife; but every fool will be quarreling.

Proverbs 22:10  Drive out a scoffer, and strife will go out, and quarreling and abuse will cease.

Proverbs 12:1  Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.

Proverbs 16:21  The wise of heart is called a man of discernment, and pleasant speech increases persuasiveness.

Proverbs 16:32  He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city

Proverbs 17:5  He who mocks the poor insults his Maker; he who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished.

Proverbs 17:7  Fine speech is not becoming to a fool; still less is false speech to a prince.

Sirach 11:7  Do not find fault before you investigate; first consider, and then reprove.

Sirach 18:19-20  Before you speak, learn, and before you fall ill, take care of your health.

20 Before judgment, examine yourself, and in the hour of visitation you will find forgiveness.

Sirach 19: 4-10 

4 One who trusts others too quickly is lightminded, and one who sins does wrong to himself.

5 One who rejoices in wickedness will be condemned, 6 and for one who hates gossip evil is lessened.

7 Never repeat a conversation, and you will lose nothing at all.

8 With friend or foe do not report it, and unless it would be a sin for you, do not disclose it;

9 for someone has heard you and watched you, and when the time comes he will hate you.

10 Have you heard a word? Let it die with you. Be brave! It will not make you burst!

Sirach 19:15-16

15 Question a friend, for often it is slander; so do not believe everything you hear.

16 A person may make a slip without intending it.  Who has never sinned with his tongue?

 

Sirach 22:13  Do not talk much with a foolish man, and do not visit an unintelligent man;

guard yourself from him to escape trouble, and you will not be soiled when he shakes himself off;

Sirach 23:15  A man accustomed to use insulting words will never become disciplined all his days.

Or, just be nice. 

End of summer thoughts

 

My normal routine during weekly Eucharistic Adoration is a half hour of prayer, including the Rosary, and a half hour of reading or meditation.  I will call it meditation because it sounds better, but may be best described as thinking of whatever random thoughts come into my mind.  I believe it is important to just listen at times and God will speak to me.  Now, I’m not very good at that.  My mind tends to wander off easily.  Staying focused is a challenge where I often fail.  However, once in a while I am able to concentrate sufficiently that some intellectual clarity will emerge.  I would like to believe it is the Holy Spirit speaking to me, but that might be a bit presumptuous. 

 

Very few Catholics in my parish take advantage of Eucharistic Adoration.  For a time on this particular day, I was the only one present.  While I appreciate the lone time with Jesus, it saddens me that most people do not take advantage of this opportunity.  If we truly have the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ before us in that monstrance, why isn’t every Christian in the county trying to get in our doors?  Then, I began to think about some of the Protestant ministries in the area who are vibrant with active members, even without valid sacraments.  Why are they seemingly more attractive than we are?

 

Here is where I thought some inspired clarity added focus to the picture.  In typical Protestant communities around here, members will say the sinner’s prayer and accept Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior.  They have the opportunity to go to church on Sunday, listen to some preaching, and sing a few songs, usually contemporary music with guitars and drums.  They may develop a more personal relationship with the pastor, his or her family, and all of this tends to be more socially entertaining.  If they don’t like the sermons or the pastor, they can go down the street and find one more to their liking.

 

Catholics on the other hand are centered on the Holy Eucharist.  The Church has much more to offer with the Sacraments, devotions, standardized prayers, and the various rites.  Worship is more vertical and not naturally conducive for socializing. If one is not properly formed in the faith, it can seem overly structured and restrictive, and unfortunately, our faith formation has been weak at best.  We have many more paths to connect with God than our Protestant brothers and sisters, but perhaps not as many to connect with one another.  Or maybe the social opportunities are there, but take a backseat to the spiritual side. The horizontal component of religion is much easier to maintain in the Protestant form it seems.

 

Having so many opportunities for Catholics to connect spiritually means we also have many more opportunities to disconnect.  In addition to Sunday Mass, there is confession, weekdays Masses, adoration, Holy Days, Fast and Abstinence Days, devotions, prayers, rosaries, lay ministries, the list goes on and on.  So those of us who are active in the parish pick and choose what we think we can handle, and usually find ourselves with the same faces, often few and far between.  It is so easy to gradually disconnect.  “No one can be expected to do all these things, so maybe I will lessen my load.” 

 

What is the answer?  How do we grow spiritually and pass that desire onto others?   If we truly understood and appreciated what we have as Catholics, our churches would be full.  Yet, how dare I find fault with others because they are not doing what I am doing?  Am I holier than they?  Probably not.  All I can do is keep praying and hope God tells me what I should be doing, and gives me the wisdom to hear and understand.

 

For those struggling in the practice of their faith, my advice would be to try doing one more thing than what you are doing now.  If you are a bare minimum Catholic only attending Sunday Mass, try adding one weekday Mass, or finding one program on EWTN that you might enjoy regularly.  Stop in for a quick visit next time you pass the church on a weekday.  Spend a few minutes at Eucharistic Adoration.  Go to the Catholic Answers website and read a short tract on some tenet of the Catholic faith.  Start small if you must, but do something to tighten that connection with your Catholic faith.  A little effort can go a long way. 

 

 

 

 

Shaming False Devils

 Slavery and the treatment of African Americans especially in the south left a scab on our nation’s history.  It is a scab that will always remain and serves to remind us of the injustice that was inflicted on our society.  Lately, certain people have been picking at that scab, perhaps trying to erase those painful reminders.  Statues have been removed, names changed, fingers pointed, boycotts urged, and people shamed.  But picking at the scab has reopened old wounds.  We can no longer freely interact with one another for fear of touching nerves that have been over-sensitized.  A sense of separation has arisen, an us and them awareness, counterproductive to the unity we might seek.

 

The University of Wisconsin-Madison recently removed a giant boulder that had been a campus landmark for nearly one hundred years because a 1925 Wisconsin State Journal article used the N-word in describing it.  No other record of this terminology to describe the rock could be found anywhere except for this one particular newspaper article.  Now in 2021, someone has decided that the boulder needed to be moved because it could be offensive.  The only victim in this case is the boulder itself.  It didn’t ask to be described in this manner by some crude long-forgotten journalist.  Thinking that relocating this massive rock somehow makes the world a better place is just plain ridiculous.

 
Closer to home, Valparaiso University has changed its nickname from Crusaders to Beacons reportedly because groups such as the Ku Klux Klan began using words and symbols associated with the Crusades.  Again, this is political correctness run amok.  One can make a derogatory connection to most any person, place or thing if one tries hard enough.  Suppose we uncover an article that claims beacons were once used to hunt down runaway slaves at night.  Would the university be compelled to change its name again?  Where do we draw the line?  Someone will always claim to be offended.
 

We know what it is to worship false gods.  They were prevalent in the Old Testament and we have our own today.  The problem lies not in the idol itself, but in the manner in which it is beheld by our human intellect.  The symbols being removed today can be regarded as false devils, objects perceived to be connected with some past evil, but really having nothing to do with the evil itself.  Finding them has become a modern day witch hunt, a quest to make a sinister association to formerly respected icons.  Removing them is like placing a band-aid where a wound has long since healed or never actually existed.  It simply calls renewed attention to a painful past event.

 
We Americans have it too good.  We should be thankful for the many blessings we have and stop nitpicking about names, statues, symbols and everything else that has no bearing on our future.  Playing the victim is never a good strategy.   Until we regain respect for human life, our society will continue to spiral downward.  The Catholic Church has the answers but few will listen.  In the meantime, hang on for dear life.

 

Punishment or tough love?

 

Many Catholics, including some bishops and priests, seem to be divided on the question of whether Catholic politicians who support legalized abortion should be denied Holy Communion.  Obvious to me is the fact that many who attack the Church for even considering this stance do not understand the real issue here.  Democrat Representative Ted Lieu, supposedly Catholic, recently dared the Church to deny him Communion for him supporting access to abortion and same-sex marriage.  Some Democrats want the Catholic Church to be stripped of her tax-exempt status over what they call “politically weaponizing religion”.  Is that what is really happening here?

 

The Holy Eucharist is the actual Body and Blood of Jesus Christ made present under the appearance of bread and wine.  To a non-Catholic, that probably sounds crazy, but if you were to take the time to deeply study the Scriptures and especially John Chapter 6, you might understand why this is belief is true.  Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians in Chapter 11, verses 27 to 30 says, “²⁷ Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord. ²⁸ Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. ²⁹ For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment upon himself. ³⁰ That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died.^”

 

When the Church considers denying someone the Holy Eucharist due to an attachment to serious sin, the purpose is not to serve as a punishment.  Rather, the Church is concerned that the person is profaning the body and blood of the Lord, and therefore placing his salvation in jeopardy.  Being silent and allowing the person to receive Communion without warning would show a complete lack of concern for the person’s soul, and saving souls is the main purpose for the Church’s existence!

 

Another concern is the sin of scandal.  Allowing pro-abortion politicians to receive the Eucharist implies that what they are doing is okay.  If the Church does not take their sin seriously, then the rest of us need not take our sin seriously.  That is not a good message to be sending to a world where moral responsibility is already in decline.  

 

Denying someone the Holy Eucharist becomes a problem for the minister distributing Communion.  In many parishes, lay people called Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHCs) assist in distributing Communion.  They, along with the many priests and bishops, are not in a position to recognize every person who may approach in a seriously unworthy state, even those formally barred.  Even then, is the Communion rail the place to make a scene?  There is also the possibility, albeit unlikely, that the person has repented for his sin and been to confession.  The logistics of denying someone Communion are complicated.  

 

Truth be known, none of us are worthy, but those of us who acknowledge our sins and receive absolution, may approach humbly, asking for mercy.   The best treatment may be education and some tough love.  Pro-abortion Catholic politicians need to understand that they are risking their salvation.

 

Excommunication would send a strong message that repentance is urgently needed.  Our time on this earth is a blip when compared with our time in eternity.  Those who profaned the body and blood of Jesus Christ will be judged by him who they profaned.  They may need to be shocked into reality.

Regarding the upcoming Eucharistic coherence document that the U.S. Bishops are drafting, I am not so concerned with the reported disagreement among the bishops as I am about the amount of publicity about their bickering.  Bishops are not always going to agree with the best ways to deal with an issue.  However, one would think they should keep their disagreements in-house until a consensus is reached.  The letter signed by some sixty-seven members bishops in May calling for the Eucharistic coherence topic to be dropped from the conference agenda was widely reported.   

 

Anytime the secular media reports on faith matters within the Church, they usually misunderstand Catholic theology when looking at these issues from a political viewpoint.  This causes confusion among Catholics and non-Catholics.  Who leaks these discussions to the media?  The U.S. Bishops will eventually release a statement that will bring clarity to the question of who should and should not receive the Eucharist.  How much weight the statement will carry remains to be seen.