Today's Bible Reading
Luke 1: 5-25 (NRSV)
Blog Reflection
In his Rule, St. Benedict wrote the following:
Today's Speaking to the Soul takes note of the difference between Mary's response to the message of the Angel in yesterday and tomorrow's Gospel vs Zechariah's response in today's reading. The author of the blog post suggests:
I think Mary's response of "Let it be done to me according to your word" can be like Soldiers being deployed such as they were during the now ended Iraq War. Okay, Mary was not being called into battle, but she was definitely called to undertake something that would challenge the times around her.
Zechariah's response is more like getting the news that you got a job that while it looked good at the time you applied, now you are not so sure you have what it takes to do it. So, you want to think it over for a while. You are likely to keep your mouth closed about the offer until you decide. Except when the new supervisor suggests that they need an answer within 24 hours. Then you have to think about your present employment situation the good and not so good vs. a situation full of very interested, but not so sure about your future there. You know you want better, but are you ready to give up the security of what you already enjoy to a not so sure kind of future?
The issue at hand of course is transitions.
When I was getting ready to graduate from college, I was literally afraid of the transition that was before me. I had been a closeted gay person in a life of chosen celibacy for the past six years. I was somewhat protected by the Christian College environment by attending chapel services and close friends in a familiar setting that appeared to protect me from coming out. At that point in time, I was wanting to consider entering a monastery near by. I even entered it, figuratively through my actions and behaviors around me. Then one day while I was talking on the phone to a Monk of the nearby Benedictine Monastery, I admitted that I was just afraid of the transition of being a student to becoming a working, active adult. I was not prepared at that point to admit to him that I am gay, and I am really afraid that once I leave, I just might have to face being who I really am. The Monk surprised me when he said: "Transitions are just a bitch." He went on to say that whether a Monk or working adult in the world, the important thing is to be open to the free movement of the Holy Spirit and to trust in God no matter where the Spiritual wind blows. Because if I could not do that as a working adult, I certainly was not going to succeed as a Monk.
I am an individual who struggles with Aspergers Syndrome. Transitions are more complicated for me than they already are for people who do not have Asperger's. Transitions take a while for me to adjust to and find a sense of stability in the midst of the change. The last two and half to three years since I left Courage and came back out, feel in love with my partner, went from being Catholic to Episcopalian and began better understanding what it is that makes communications and relationships so doggone difficult, have been one transition after another. And here I am, I am still coming full circle, with more transitions ahead of me.
Whether we are straight, or lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and/or queer (LGBTQ), in the closet or out, we won't find a sense of stability unless we are also open to the transitions of God's Holy Spirit. Being open does not mean we take everything that happens and do it right away. We are not closed to our Mother the Holy Spirit when we decide to take our time and "Test the spirits to see if they are from God." (1 John 4:1). As the Angel visited with Mary and Zechariah and each responded in their own way to God's call to transition, so God also visits all of us. Each of us responds differently to God's invitation to transition. God honors our diversity and works with us as a compassionate and gentle Mother. There are moments when She moves on us and we are just not sure. Other times, when She taps our heart, we respond right away.
Psalm 62 from our Morning Prayer today says "For God alone my soul in silence waits; from God comes my salvation. God alone is my rock and my salvation, my strong hold, so that I shall not be greatly shaken." (See Psalm 62, BCP 669, with inclusive language changes made by me).
The Season of Advent is about transition. It is about preparing for transition. The Monk from Glastonbury Abbey was correct. Transitions are a bitch. God knows that. If there is one thing the coming of Jesus on Christmas Day tells us, is that God comes to be with us in our transitions. God will challenge us to move out of those Pandoras Boxes we put God, others and ourselves in. God will also be with us when we'd rather keep the lid shut, because we are just not ready. God will come to heal our broken relationships including the relationship between God and ourselves as we face those fears that are due to our own prejudices and misinformation that keep us locked away and unable to see the person God loves in the mirror. The journey of Jesus from Bethlehem to Calvary tells us that in Jesus, God walks with us,. God suffers with us. God falls with us. When we find ourselves at the end where death seems like the only way out, God shows us in Christ that there is resurrection after all.
Are we ready for the transition?
What will our response be to God's call to transition?
Prayers
Luke 1: 5-25 (NRSV)
In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly order of Abijah. His wife was a descendant of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. Both of them were righteous before God, living blamelessly according to all the commandments and regulations of the Lord. But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were getting on in years.
Once when he was serving as priest before God and his section was on duty, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and offer incense. Now at the time of the incense-offering, the whole assembly of the people was praying outside. Then there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified; and fear overwhelmed him. But the angel said to him, ‘Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He must never drink wine or strong drink; even before his birth he will be filled with the Holy Spirit. He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. With the spirit and power of Elijah he will go before him, to turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.’ Zechariah said to the angel, ‘How will I know that this is so? For I am an old man, and my wife is getting on in years.’ The angel replied, ‘I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. But now, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time, you will become mute, unable to speak, until the day these things occur.’
Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah, and wondered at his delay in the sanctuary. When he did come out, he could not speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He kept motioning to them and remained unable to speak. When his time of service was ended, he went to his home.
Blog Reflection
In his Rule, St. Benedict wrote the following:
Do not grant newcomers to the monastic life an easy entry, but, as the Apostle says, Test the spirits to see if they are from God (1 John 4:1). Therefore, if someone comes and keeps knocking at the door, and if at the end of four or five days she/he has shown herself/himself patient in bearing her/his harsh treatment and difficulty of entry, and has persisted in her/his request, then she/he should be allowed to enter and stay in the guest quarters for a few days. After that, she/he should live in the novitiate, where the novices study, eat and sleep.
A senior chosen for her/his skill in winning souls should be appointed to look after them with careful attention. The concern must be whether the novice truly seeks God and whether she/he shows eagerness for the Work of God, for obedience and trials. The novice should be clearly told all the hardships and difficulties that will lead her/him to God. (Rule of St. Benedict in English, 1980, Chapter 58: vs 1-8, pages 78-79).
Today's Speaking to the Soul takes note of the difference between Mary's response to the message of the Angel in yesterday and tomorrow's Gospel vs Zechariah's response in today's reading. The author of the blog post suggests:
I am more like Zechariah than I am like Mary. When the angel visits with an unexpected insight of peculiar wonder, I am much more likely to ask, "How will I know that this is so?" than I am to respond, "Let it be with me according to your word."
I am a natural doubter. I tend to hedge my bets and need some corroborative evidence before I commit. Even when I've tilted to a place where I mostly believe something, a large portion of me stays in abeyance, nurturing a comfortable doubt, just in case. I don't jump in with both feet, not at first.
I think Mary's response of "Let it be done to me according to your word" can be like Soldiers being deployed such as they were during the now ended Iraq War. Okay, Mary was not being called into battle, but she was definitely called to undertake something that would challenge the times around her.
Zechariah's response is more like getting the news that you got a job that while it looked good at the time you applied, now you are not so sure you have what it takes to do it. So, you want to think it over for a while. You are likely to keep your mouth closed about the offer until you decide. Except when the new supervisor suggests that they need an answer within 24 hours. Then you have to think about your present employment situation the good and not so good vs. a situation full of very interested, but not so sure about your future there. You know you want better, but are you ready to give up the security of what you already enjoy to a not so sure kind of future?
The issue at hand of course is transitions.
When I was getting ready to graduate from college, I was literally afraid of the transition that was before me. I had been a closeted gay person in a life of chosen celibacy for the past six years. I was somewhat protected by the Christian College environment by attending chapel services and close friends in a familiar setting that appeared to protect me from coming out. At that point in time, I was wanting to consider entering a monastery near by. I even entered it, figuratively through my actions and behaviors around me. Then one day while I was talking on the phone to a Monk of the nearby Benedictine Monastery, I admitted that I was just afraid of the transition of being a student to becoming a working, active adult. I was not prepared at that point to admit to him that I am gay, and I am really afraid that once I leave, I just might have to face being who I really am. The Monk surprised me when he said: "Transitions are just a bitch." He went on to say that whether a Monk or working adult in the world, the important thing is to be open to the free movement of the Holy Spirit and to trust in God no matter where the Spiritual wind blows. Because if I could not do that as a working adult, I certainly was not going to succeed as a Monk.
I am an individual who struggles with Aspergers Syndrome. Transitions are more complicated for me than they already are for people who do not have Asperger's. Transitions take a while for me to adjust to and find a sense of stability in the midst of the change. The last two and half to three years since I left Courage and came back out, feel in love with my partner, went from being Catholic to Episcopalian and began better understanding what it is that makes communications and relationships so doggone difficult, have been one transition after another. And here I am, I am still coming full circle, with more transitions ahead of me.
Whether we are straight, or lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and/or queer (LGBTQ), in the closet or out, we won't find a sense of stability unless we are also open to the transitions of God's Holy Spirit. Being open does not mean we take everything that happens and do it right away. We are not closed to our Mother the Holy Spirit when we decide to take our time and "Test the spirits to see if they are from God." (1 John 4:1). As the Angel visited with Mary and Zechariah and each responded in their own way to God's call to transition, so God also visits all of us. Each of us responds differently to God's invitation to transition. God honors our diversity and works with us as a compassionate and gentle Mother. There are moments when She moves on us and we are just not sure. Other times, when She taps our heart, we respond right away.
Psalm 62 from our Morning Prayer today says "For God alone my soul in silence waits; from God comes my salvation. God alone is my rock and my salvation, my strong hold, so that I shall not be greatly shaken." (See Psalm 62, BCP 669, with inclusive language changes made by me).
The Season of Advent is about transition. It is about preparing for transition. The Monk from Glastonbury Abbey was correct. Transitions are a bitch. God knows that. If there is one thing the coming of Jesus on Christmas Day tells us, is that God comes to be with us in our transitions. God will challenge us to move out of those Pandoras Boxes we put God, others and ourselves in. God will also be with us when we'd rather keep the lid shut, because we are just not ready. God will come to heal our broken relationships including the relationship between God and ourselves as we face those fears that are due to our own prejudices and misinformation that keep us locked away and unable to see the person God loves in the mirror. The journey of Jesus from Bethlehem to Calvary tells us that in Jesus, God walks with us,. God suffers with us. God falls with us. When we find ourselves at the end where death seems like the only way out, God shows us in Christ that there is resurrection after all.
Are we ready for the transition?
What will our response be to God's call to transition?
Prayers
Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation,
that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a
mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Amen. (Fourth Sunday of Advent, Book of Common Prayer, page 212).
O God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know
you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect freedom: Defend
us, your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that
we, surely trusting in your defense, may not fear the power of
any adversaries; through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen. (Collect for Peace, Book of Common Prayer, page 99).
O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us
through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole
human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which
infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us;
unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and
confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in
your good time, all nations and races may serve you in
harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for the Human Family, Book of Common Prayer, page 815).
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