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Daily Scripture

+ Ascension Thursday

There is no proof; there are only witnesses.

Readings: Acts 1:1-11 Ephesians 1:14-23 Luke 24:46-53

You are witnesses of all these things. And now I am sending down to you what the Father has promised. Stay in the city then, until you are clothed with the power from on high. [Luke 24:50-51]

In an age of technology and scientific progress, we have an explanation for everything or at least the promise of the same. Yet, there are still truly human experiences – both positive and negative—that defy human explanation. Death is one such experience. Doctors know the medical reasons for death but an autopsy doesn’t tell the whole story. Conversely, who can explain the field of energy that binds lovers for life?

During his life on earth Jesus created a field of energy that changed the course of history and it did not cease at his death or even at his resurrection. It continues to this day – locally and globally. Or else how explain the heroism of the saints of yesterday and the saints of today? Women and men, energetic witnesses who have said ‘yes’ to unconditional love under any and all circumstances continue to change the course of history in the face of those who attempt to chain the Word of God. No, most of them are not formal preachers or even religious teachers per se, but people who live the message of the Gospel of Jesus day in and day out.

The gospel today is typical of the departure of a hero. We might even consider it the conclusion of a hero story. Jesus assures his disciples that he is not abandoning them. Not only that but he will send an advocate who will empower them to continue his mission. “You will be clothed with power from on high.” They will be clothed with the mantle of Christ just as the ancient Elijah was clothed in the mantle of Elias before Elias departed in his chariot to the heavens. It’s metaphor and allegory, of course but the underlying truth of Jesus mission will continue to be proclaimed as Good News for all.

But hang in there until Pentecost when the gifts of the Spirit will be renewed and we will be empowered once more to preach the Good News—using words only when necessary.

A Chrstmas Meditation

Monday December 25, 2006

As I write this reflection
we are fast approaching the winter solstice
with its premonition of the end times.
But searchers and seekers of God,
people of faith in what cannot be seen
do not deny the glory of nature
with its ever recurring cycle of birth, death and rebirth.
Surely we can make of winter a liturgy
with its call to silence__
the sacred sounds of nature’s song at daylight,
the holy proclamation of life in the face of death
then the silent sunset to accompany evening prayer
and the starlit night to keep at bay
the fear of darkness and death.

Creation is a cathedral not made by human hands
but fashioned by the ‘Artisan’ of endless ages—
‘Ancient of Days.’
The God of heaven and earth
was not content to hoard this blessed beauty
but deigned to share it with earthly creatures—
women and men who at their very best,
reflect a Mother’s wisdom
and the generosity of a ‘prodigal’ father
giving ample testimony
to the never-ending love of this generous God__.
people of faith living in the rhythm of God’s life.
They smell God’s breath in the air
and they feel the beat of God’s heart
deep within their own heart.

How can we not give praise?
If we would keep silent, “the very stones will cry out!”

Christmas celebrated appropriately
in the northern hemisphere
shortly after the winter solstice
is the anchor feast of Christendom—incarnation.
It is the commemoration of a singular event
that touched the core of humanity
as did no other event in history
except creation itself,
when God breathed into the void
and gave birth to the universe.
Some folks still debate about the origin of the universe:
“creationists” who argue for the origin of the world
in seven days,
and “evolutionists”
who insist on a more gradual progression of the complex
from the simple.
But the debate will be won not by scientists or scientologists
and not even by theologians,
but by artists and poets.

The explorations of scientists and theologians are not useless or without merit__
every quantum leap of understanding is a step closer
to the origin of life.
The artist and the poet however, see the hand of God
in all creation,
the mind of God in every act of nature
and they feel the heartbeat of God in every creature.

Still some folks think Christmas is about Santa Claus
and the giving of gifts.
I suppose it is but it must be more
Some Christians are blinded by the glitter of gold and the gilt of material wealth.
They have time for church but little time for God.
They strive for success but feel little need for sacrifice,
giving of their surplus rarely of their want or need.
Their prayers are a challenge for a change in God’s heart rather than in their own.

But there are people who know that Christmas is a mystery
not to be explained but to be lived
and there are people who live it.
In the midst of a “culture of death” they call attention to what is right in the world
without denying what is wrong.
They challenge what is wrong in the world
but do not crush the wrongdoer.
They speak for justice and work for righteousness
not with violence but with love.
They do not build walls of hatred
but open doors of understanding.
They breathe life into lifeless hearts;
they bring hope to the hopeless and helpless
and they can be found everywhere but especially wherever the need is the greatest.

People will continue to look for ‘Baby’ Jesus in the manger
but Jesus is in the air and in the heart of those
who smell God’s breath in the air,
who live in the rhythm of God’s life
and whose hearts beat with the rhythm of God’s heart.

May the grace and peace of this season and every season
be in your heart and on your lips
that you may joyfully proclaim the holy Gospel.

Father Lasch