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Our Every Hope and God’s Every Promise

14 Dec

 advent third Sunday photo

“O God, fulfill his every hope in you, and make good on your every promise to him.”

That is a prayer worthy of praying over someone who is dying or who has just passed. But it is also appropriate as you pray for someone, like your mother, who is having some struggle or challenge. “O God, fulfill her every hope in you, and make good on your every promise to her.”

Hope and promise, promise and hope: that is an Advent prayer, an anytime prayer.

In life itself and in our own lives there are valleys: low points. There are mountains and hills: challenges and struggles. Winding roads and rough paths – we see them in the world; we know them in our lives.

Have you or are you experiencing a valley in life, a low point? Do you have a mountain or a hill, a struggle or a challenge? How about a winding road or a rough path? Name the valley, mountain, hill, winding road or rough path that you see in our world or in your world.

Then hear the prophet John as he quotes the prophet Isaiah: “Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill shall be made low. The winding roads shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”

Your valley shall be filled. Your mountain and hill shall be made low. Your winding roads and rough paths shall be made straight and smooth. You will see salvation by God.

Advent speaks of the great promise in which now we dare to hope.

May God fulfill your every hope in him, and make good on his every promise to you.

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Have an Andrew day!

30 Nov

November 30 is the feast of St. Andrew.

I have heard someone say – Father James Martin in his “My Life with the Saints” book – that the saints are “companions” for us. But how do they become our companions?

Father Martin wonders if this might be true: that we are attracted to a particular saint for two reasons: (1) something in the saint’s life that is so similar to that same something in our own life draws us to him/her, and (2) this REALLY fascinates me, that we are drawn to a particular saint because that saint had already been praying for us long before we have paid any notice to him/her. The saint’s life itself – and, particularly, the saint’s previous, unsolicited and continuing prayers for us – draw us to pay attention to a particular saint.

Makes me wonder why I feel so attracted to St. Andrew!

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Andrew’s saltire cross

30 Nov

In almost every piece of art of Andrew

as in our Andrew window

00 01 Andrew Stained Glass Szaz BEST

in our Andrew statue

00 01 Andrew Statue

and in the “heavenly” window in our choir loft

00 01 Choir Stained Glass

Andrew is pictured with an X-frame or saltire cross.

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we’re moving in

5 Oct

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The “new” floor is done. The “new” pews are in place. The last thing to return home were the “new” kneelers.

We are moving back in. We are coming home.

The first oohs and aahs will be heard late on Saturday (tomorrow) afternoon when we arrive for the first Mass of the weekend.

Homecoming is this weekend: October 6-7.

The homecoming king is already known: Christ the King. He has named his mother Mary as Queen.

It should be quite the homecoming celebration!

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bird’s eye view

4 Oct

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The removal of 90 years of dirt and wax has revealed extraordinary patterns in the elm seats of our pews. The woodworkers call this one a “bird’s eye.” Can you see the bird’s eye? Be the first one to spot it in your pew this weekend.

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don’t try this at home

4 Oct

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All will be ready for our “coming home” this coming weekend. The “new” old pews and kneelers are almost ready to receive you and to help you pray.

the “old” has become “new” again

2 Oct

The refurbished pews and kneelers are making their way back home. The “old” has become “new” again. Not replaced, but restored. It will be quite different for our eyes to see the wood floors returned to their original light color. The contrast between the light floor and the dark pews is striking. What do you think?

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first the Virgin

26 Sep

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In the evening candlelight procession, immediately following the crucifix flanked by lighted candles is the statue of “Our Lady of Lourdes.”

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will it make it home safely?

26 Sep

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While filling the plastic jug with Lourdes water, it is easy to question the assurance of the shopkeeper that, of course, it will be just fine stories in your checked baggage.

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women don’t usually cry for themselves

26 Sep

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This sculpture of station number 8 was striking: one mother holding up her infant to Jesus, another holding on to her child beside her while she herself is weeping. Women don’t often cry for themselves, but for their children, yes, often they cry, and they weep.

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