The Voice of God

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baptism, God's voice, hear, Jesus, John the Baptist, listen, The Sophia Center for Spirituality

Psalm 29 proclaims the power of the voice of God, speaking in myriad ways. Today the Church celebrates the baptism of Jesus by John, citing the testimony of Matthew’s gospel as evidence of God’s voice in the world. “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” It’s one of those dramatic scenes that we can imagine as we are told that “the heavens were opened for him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming upon him.”

Was it only Jesus who heard the voice of God that day, or did all the people that witnessed the event hear it as well? Some translations have God saying “YOU are my beloved Son…instead of “THIS IS my beloved…?” Maybe it was a message to all because of the deep meaning of the event for the public ministry of Jesus. Maybe it was a message just for Jesus himself, delivered internally, to strengthen him for that ministry. I like to think of it in that way as it makes Jesus more human and God more accessible, speaking in a softer voice, you might say.

Have you ever heard God speaking in you, for you? It takes a willingness to be silent and listen, as well as trust that God would choose to speak to me personally…I am coming to believe that God is speaking in many ways all the time and is longing for us to hear.

The wind is blowing outside today. Gusts of 35 to 50 mph are expected. Perhaps God is trying to get our attention. The trees are certainly dancing. What can they hear? Perhaps we ought to join them…

Day One

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baptism, family, Irish blessing, liturgical celebration, music, St. Patrick, The Sophia Center for Spirituality, words

The gift of yesterday will certainly be difficult to match but because the participants and the situation will differ this afternoon I have high hopes for day two of our four-day weekend extravaganza!

My lesson from yesterday included the power of music and word in the exquisite talents of instruments and voice, story and familiar texts all woven together in a liturgical celebration impossible to describe and not likely to be repeated. We often say among us (Sisters) that “this was the best jubilee ever!” but yesterday was, in truth, my vote for that honor. I mused later that we may be getting older but we certainly can still sing! The power of community was evident from the anticipatory morning greetings to the sharing of prayer, memories and laughter in the small group that celebrated our Sister Grace before bedtime.

Today I expect the best from family. In the context of the larger “Church family” I hope to see the smiles and know the hugs of cousins from near and far – three generations of them! It will certainly be “the more, the merrier” – all to celebrate the newest addition to the O’Malley-Maloney family on this most appropriate of feasts, St. Patrick’s Day!

May the blessing of Patrick bring you joy today. May God hold you always in the hollow of his hand.

Four-day Weekend

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baptism, funeral, rituals, Sisters of St. Joseph, The Sophia Center for Spirituality

Today, the Book of Deuteronomy tells me, is one on which we are to observe God’s statutes and decrees with all our heart and with all our soul. that will not be difficult for me as I drive to Albany, NY where the sisters of my heart (Sisters of St. Joseph) will gather in person or in spirit to celebrate those who are celebrating anniversaries of life in community (25, 40, 50, 60, 70 or 75 years). It is, for all of us, a very special time.

In a different way, but in a similarly holy event in a weekend that will stretch until Tuesday, we will say farewell to our friend, Rev. Alfred Bebel, at a funeral ritual that will be both sad (for us) and happy (for him) as we celebrate this “good and faithful servant” of over 85 years of full life.

In between these two events, I will participate tomorrow in the baptism ritual of a new tiny and already well-loved cousin as well as a day of Lenten reflection on Spiritual Wholeness on Monday. This event I will share with a parish group with whom I was privileged to celebrate Lent last year as well. The depth of sharing was great for a first meeting then so I feel in a small way that Monday will be like a homecoming, most especially in the similar liturgical ritual that will punctuate each of the events of these four days.

As I prepare to begin this four-day journey, I am well aware of the importance of each day of life – whatever the events or the passage of the hours – as being worthy of observation with my whole heart and soul. Let us all enter into the holiness of life with gratitude for life itself, for the rituals that unite us and for the companions that God has provided for us along the way.

What’s in a Name?

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baptism, Elizabeth Johnson, grandparents, St. Anne, St. Joachim, The Sophia Center for Spirituality, Truly Our Sister: Mary in the Communion of Saints

When I was baptized, the rule in the Roman Catholic Church was that only saints’ names were allowed to be given. Everyone needed a saint as a patron throughout one’s life – someone to pray to and look up to for whatever needs arose. I got lucky with my middle name: Ann. It seems no one was aware that “Lois” appeared in the Bible in one of Paul’s letters as grandmother to his young companion, Timothy! Some people questioned the spelling of Ann. “That’s the pagan way,” they would say. It didn’t matter to me because I knew that regardless of the spelling I had the grandmother of Jesus taking care of me, and pictured her somewhat like my grandmother Brigid, my mother’s mother. Even when I entered the convent at age eighteen, I felt safe having a life-sized statue of St. Ann(e) right outside the back door that we passed coming and going. It brought her and her grandmotherly softness and care around me like a hug every day.

It’s interesting that there is no mention of the names of Mary’s parents in the Scriptures, or anywhere else in Christian documents. I’m glad I didn’t know that until somewhere in my adulthood when feeling “special” to God didn’t depend on a name. By that time, Joachim had been added as spouse to Anne and grandfather of Jesus. It was only right, I suppose, to add to the legitimacy of Jesus as part of a real, good family. Reading about the grandparents of Jesus now requires a more intuitive approach. Because of Mary’s qualities, as seen from her very few appearances in the gospels (see Truly Our Sister: Mary in the Communion of Saints by Elizabeth Johnson), we presume that she had good example and teaching from her parents.

So today we celebrate grandparents as we honor Anne and Joachim, by whatever name they were known in their own time. Whether we know our own grandparents by personal experience or the stories and pictures of our family, we owe gratitude, if for nothing else than the fact that we were brought into the world through people like Daniel, Julia, Michael and Brigid as well as those generations before, whose influence is still alive in our DNA.

 

 

 

 

 

Breathing Baptism

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Acts of the Apostles, back to business, baptism, Isaiah, psalm 29, The Sophia Center for Spirituality, vows

Today is one of those times when it seems impossible to choose a topic for consideration, not because I find nothing as a possible focus but because there is too much to feel and then try to say! I was immediately distracted by the headline about the Golden Globes award ceremony held last night and I took precious time to read the report in the Washington Post. It sounded as if the purpose of everyone wearing black and the tone of acceptance speeches were purposeful and not crass but meaningful. As I left there for the USCCB website and found that we are celebrating the feast of Baptism, traditionally held in my experience on the Sunday after the Epiphany, I was surprised but somehow it felt sensible.

On my trek for coffee this morning I had been feeling an urgency that said, “Time to get back to business” – a need for routine, I might say. The whole Christmas season has felt like a time-out-of-time. Day after day I have found myself (and heard others) asking “What day is today?” as if “normal” had disappeared in favor of living by the weather. That’s a good example too because last night I read weather predictions for the week as a warming trend and today it has shifted back to a continuing deep freeze.

Back to the USCCB website. There are four choices for a first reading and two possible psalm responses for this feast! How is one supposed to choose between Isaiah and the Acts of the Apostles or Psalm 29 over Isaiah 12? (Isaiah seems always to have a lot to say!) Every one of the readings has merit for today as a call to consider the concept of baptism, a call that is offered and must be accepted each day and deepened as we wake up to the needs of the world.

I was baptized when I was three weeks old. No one took pictures so I have no evidence of the event. I learned later that there was an indelible mark on my soul, a stamp of “Christian” that was meant never to be erased. It got renewed at special times along the way by other sacraments, religious vows and anniversaries as well as by the opportunity to participate in many baptismal celebrations for other people and hear the words that accompany the ritual actions.

Today it all comes together as I am awash in reminders. “I have grasped you by the hand,” says the Lord to Isaiah, and later, “Seek the Lord while he may be found,” Isaiah shouts to us. Then there is Peter telling the people in the house of Cornelius that “God shows no partiality” as he tells them the stories of Jesus and how “God was with him.” John’s letter tells us that we become God’s children by loving one another and the psalmist calls us to “give to God the glory!” In conclusion I am treated once again to Mark’s version of the baptism of Jesus in all its cinematic imagery and I feel as if there is no place to go from here. I want only to sit and ponder the effects of God’s promises and the responsibility I have to live my baptism.

I just looked at the time. It’s 7:53am and I am due to leave the house by 8:30. I just need a few more minutes before I can move, before I am settled enough to “Go with God,” as my friend, Barbara, says to me often as I leave her. It is enough. Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

What Kind of Power?

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Ancient Songs Sung Anew, baptism, blessing, humility, Jesus, John the Baptist, listen, manifest, Peace, power, psalm 29, sovereign, strength, The Sophia Center for Spirituality

The theme of everything I have read so far this morning is simply the word POWER. The gospel for today speaks of God’s power manifest in the baptism of Jesus in two ways that I can see. God speaking when Jesus emerges from the water is impressive: “This is my beloved Son; listen to him!” I am struck by both the soft expression of paternal pride and the booming imperative of what follows that sounds like it carries great consequence. (This is, of course, only my personal take on that moment.) Prior to God’s role at the event, however, Jesus shows a different side of power: the humility that is the necessary companion to any recognition or manifestation of personal power. John doesn’t feel worthy of baptizing Jesus, but Jesus knows the necessity of affirming John’s call and ministry as well acting out his own place in the human family.

Sometimes it’s tricky to navigate the heady waters of positions of power when the ego rushes to the fore and tries to grab all the adulation. (Jesus is a good model here.) The best leaders are those who are conscious of potential missteps in relationship – whether in a family or the world community – and who remember that they are just like the rest of us in the eyes of God.

Once again it is the daily psalm (29) that captures for me the depth of these thoughts in speaking of the power of God. The juxtaposition of manifest supremacy and caring love for all of creation is extraordinary and culminates in a message that can only evoke gratitude in those who comprehend its totality. Here are some excerpts from Ancient Songs Sung Anew:

O all you many powers of heaven and earth, know this, that it is God who fills them full, a God of strength and beauty…It is the voice of God that rides in beauty upon the waters. It is a voice of power that peals like thunder across the world. God’s voice is strength itself, majestic in its scope and range. So strong it snaps in two and splinters mighty cedar trees, so soft and delicate it sets the newborn lambs to dancing or sends the brash young bulls to skip and play…And yet above the brimming energies of earth and sky, the fullness of the oceans and the forest deep, our God as sovereign sits in perfect rest, and gives the people strength to love, bestowing blessing over all, and covers us with everlasting peace.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Open the Gates!

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Anna, baptism, completion, Jesus, Joseph, Mary, Messiah, new eras, open everything, open to new ideas, opening the gates, psalm 24, Simeon, surrender to life, The Sophia Center for Spirituality, waiting on God

Today’s gospel tells the story of Simeon and Anna, two very old people who have dedicated their lives to God, living in the temple precincts, waiting and praying for the coming of the promised messiah. When they saw Joseph and Mary bringing the child Jesus to present him to God – somewhat like many of us were brought to the church for baptism – both Simeon and Anna knew completion. As Simeon said, “Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace…for my own eyes have seen your salvation…the glory of your people…”

I think of all the “Senior Sisters” sitting daily in the chapel at our motherhouse or in their rooms, waiting on God, looking for a sign, listening for God’s call, living in surrender to life. Many of them are older than Anna’s 84 years. they have lived and ministered in religious community for 60, 70 or 80 years (one is 104 years old!) and are an example to those of us who take courage in their perseverance and steadfastness. This past Saturday I met one of them (aged 88) who told me she was “so excited!!” to read the feedback from the latest Congregational process toward our future. She wants to be around for whatever comes – at least for the next 15 years or so…

Psalm 24 speaks today of opening the gates of the city to let God in. One translation was particularly beautiful, I thought, saying: So open wide the gates and doors, O humankind, open everything, and let God’s glory in. Who is this God whose beauty streams to us in majesty so strong? A God who battled chaos and who won! So open, open everything to God. Let no door be shut, let beauty flood and fill the world! Who is this king of majesty, this queen of light? It is the Lord of All, the God of everything that is, your God, the Radiant One, Most Beautiful!

May we all give thanks and bless the ones who teach us to be open to new ideas, new eras dawning on the world and especially those who help us open the gates of our hearts to the One who calls us ever forward in love.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Baptism

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baptism, Baptism of the Lord, cleansing of sins, humility, immersion, initiation, Jesus, John the Baptist, Messiah, O bless the Lord my soul, Roman Catholic Church, strengthened faith, The Sophia Center for Spirituality

I was three weeks old when I was baptized into the worldwide communion of Roman Catholic Church in the “lower church” (undercroft) of Our Lady Help of Christians with my father and godparents (and maybe a few others) in attendance. Thinking about that this morning on this feast of the Baptism of the Lord made me reflect on how the ritual and understanding of baptism in our Church has evolved even in the span of my lifetime.

Taking it all the way back to Jesus, it’s interesting to read all of the canonical gospels as they differ slightly, especially in the role of John, the Baptizer. John, the one we call the “forerunner” is very popular in his preaching and draws large crowds when he preaches, usually close to some body of water, his purpose to invite people to immersion which symbolizes being washed clean of their sins. Some think he is the long-awaited Messiah, but he says no to that, promising that the one they are waiting for is much greater than he, whose sandals he is not even worthy to loosen. So humility is the order of the day when Jesus arrives asking humbly for baptism and John, recognizing him, saying that Jesus should be the one baptizing him.

The ritual still has that flavor of humility, seen most clearly when the candidates are adults who bend their heads over a font or plunge themselves into a pool to be cleansed of sin and live a new life. Now, however, the baptism is understood and celebrated as the initiation of a new member into the Christian community and is cause for great joy and responsibility on the part of the members. I am always moved by such celebrations, whether for an adult who has made a conscious decision to embrace the spiritual path to which baptism is the gateway or for the child whose parents and godparents pledge to raise their child in the faith.

While I don’t remember the actual event of my own baptism, I do know the seriousness with which my parents undertook my education in faith and the love of God which was the center of their lives. Today then, I bless their memory and offer gratitude to God for all those people who have strengthened my faith and deepened my understanding of life in God and in community. Rejoicing in this truth, I sing with the psalmist: O bless the Lord, my soul!

The Baptized Life

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baptism, beloved, Episcopal, immersion, initiation, Jesus, John the Baptist, liturgy, Mass, name, Roman Catholic, The Sophia Center for Spirituality, water, worthy of the name

Although I have been present for many celebrations of the sacrament of Baptism I have no memory of my own. That’s not unusual in the Roman Catholic Church, since like many of us, I was baptized when I was three weeks old. As was tradition then, it was my aunt Millie and my uncle Dan who witnessed that significant moment and I grew up knowing that, as my godparents, they would be responsible for raising me “in the faith” should my parents die or not be able to do so. I can’t remember any specific conversations with either of them about that duty; I just knew I had a safety net for my spiritual life if it became necessary. (Happily my parents were quite good examples of loving, faithful Christians who lived their faith all the days of their long lives.)

Today we have come to understand that baptism is a significant event not only for the family of the one being baptized but for the entire church congregation as well. There are classes for parents and godparents – often before the baby is born – to help them understand the seriousness of what “initiation into the Christian community” means. On the day of the ceremony many parishes welcome the families at the door of the church before the service begins and have them march in procession with the priest and other ministering participants in the Mass. The baptism ceremony takes place not in private but in the middle of the liturgy and all present are called to pledge their support to the new member. Over the last 25 years, adult converts to the Church are celebrated in the same manner. In his Episcopal congregation, my friend, Father Bill, always wrote a letter to the child being baptized to be kept by the parents to be read when the child was able to understand the love that was present in the baptism ceremony and the support that would be available from the congregation for his/her entire life.

The dictionary definition of baptism includes sprinkling or immersion with water to symbolize purification or regeneration as well as initiation into the Christian church, often accompanied by name-giving. I must admit that sometimes it got tedious to grow up being called Lois Lane and asked the whereabouts of Superman, but eventually I “grew into” my name and have come to understand that each of us is called by name in God’s family and as such we respond in our own unique way to God’s plan for our life. When someone we love addresses us by name it has a particular sound, doesn’t it? It’s a wonderful thing to know we are cherished simply by that sound.

Today our Church celebrates the feast of the Baptism of the Lord by John when God’s voice is heard from a cloud saying, “This is my son, my beloved, in whom I am well-pleased.” Whatever our faith commitment or practice, might we listen for those words in our own life, (e.g. This is my daughter, my beloved Lois, in whom I am well-pleased.) and renew our resolve to live in a way worthy of the name by which we are called?

Baptism

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baptism, beliefs, Christ, John the Baptist, new year's resolutions, The Sophia Center for Spirituality

Today we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord, that cinematic event of Jesus humbling himself to be baptized by John and the Spirit coming to rest on Jesus, the Beloved Son. I was three weeks old when I was baptized so the ritual of initiation into the Christian family is powerful to me only by hearsay. I have been blessed, however, to have participated in many rituals of baptism for people of all ages and it is always meaningful to hear parents and godparents speak their willingness to pass on the faith to those too young to speak for themselves. My parents and godparents certainly took that responsibility seriously. More meaningful to me as I grow older, however, is the conviction of people being baptized as adults, stating for themselves and all who hear their beliefs and their willingness to live a life congruent with those beliefs. That is an  admirable and sometimes difficult task in this changing, complex world. It takes great reflection and courage to know ourselves and what we say “yes” to each day. Having a faith community in which we can wrestle with the difficult issues and reaffirm our faith is a great advantage. Today is a good day for all of us to review what we are committed to by our faith and, in the spirit of “New Year’s Resolutions”, to resolve anew to live honestly and seriously our commitment to the God who calls us beloved children.