Bathed In Light

Yesterday, the Sunday after Epiphany, the Church celebrated the Baptism of the Lord by his cousin John, the Baptist (Luke 3:15-16, 21-11). One of the things that I find amazing in this scripture account is that we see the holy blessed Trinity all together in one scene! Jesus is being baptized, the Holy Spirit decended upon him in the form of a dove, and the Father spoke, proclaiming that Jesus is his son and telling all to listen to him. Wow! Can you imagine being there and witnessing this powerful scene?!!

I have read two pieces that really speak to me in reflecting on this significant event in Jesus' life that I want to share with you today. The first is ancient, the second is very contemporary.

The Second Reading in the Office of Readings of the Liturgy of the Hours offers a beautiful light-filled reflection by Saint Gregory of Nazianzus.

Christ is bathed in light; let us also be bathed in light. Christ is baptized; let us go down with him, and rise with him.... Today let us do honor to Christ's baptism and celebrate this feast in holiness. Be cleansed entirely and continue to be cleansed. Nothing gives such pleasure to God as the conversion and salvation of [all people], for whom his every word and every revelation exist. He wants you to become a living force for all [human]kind, lights shining in the world. You are to be radiant lights as you stand beside Christ, the great light, bathed in the glory of him who is the light of heaven. You are to enjoy more and more the pure and dazzling light of the Trinity, as now you have received -- though not in it fullness -- a ray of its splendor, proceeding from the one God, in Christ Jesus our Lord, to whom be glory and power for ever and ever. Amen.

Reflecting, with John, on the question of why would Jesus need to be baptized, one of the most satisfying reasons I've ever read or heard came to me from the meditation for today's gospel text in The Word Among Us . "When he was baptized by John in the Jordan, Jesus showed how deeply he wanted to be joined with all of us, sinners though we are. As St. Paul explained, Jesus became sin for us so that in him we might become "the righteousness of God" (2 Corinthians 5:21). Being baptized in water, he took on our sin and carried it with him until the day of his death on the cross...."

This writer offers us a powerful invitation, as well:

...Scripture tells us that Jesus wants to baptize all of us "with the Holy Spirit and fire" (Luke 3:16). He wants to share the fruit of his baptism with us by immersing us in his Holy Spirit -- just as he baptized the first apostles on Pentecost.

Today's feast is an invitation for us to ask: Do I know the freedom from sin that Jesus' baptism won for me? It's also an invitation to ask: How well do I know the Holy Spirit? After all, Jesus died for us so that we could receive his Spirit and be filled with his life and love. Just as the Spirit came upon him when he was baptized, this same Spirit wants to come upon us and empower us to live a godly life.

"Thank you, Jesus, for being baptized for me. now come, Lord, and fill me with your Spirit!"

Let us open our hearts, pray, trust, and put ourselves in great company! Let us become one of the "radiant lights" in the world!

Have a blessed, light-filled, and holy week!

~Cindy

LIGHT and the Holy Name of Jesus

I just wrote about the celebration of the Holy Name of Jesus in my Franciscan Prayer blog. It is commemorated on January 3rd on the liturgical calendar and in the Catholic Church it is the special intention for the entire month of January.

I don't want to re-do what I've just written for that blog, however, in light of the focus of this one, I couldn't help but share the same reflection from Saint Bernadine of Siena. I'm reprinting it here with a different emphasis, as will be obvious. From On the Eternal Gospel:

This is the most holy name so long desired by the patriarchs of old. They waited for it with much anxiety. The delay in its coming caused them to languish. They called out for it with many a sigh; they prayed for it with many tears. When the moment of grace arrived it was given with mercy. Put aside, then, I beg you, any name implying political power; let there be no mention of vengeance, no mention of justice. Give us the name of mercy. Let the name of Jesus resound in my ears because then indeed is your voice sweet and your contenance lovely.

The name of Jesus that makes us children of God is a firm foundation of faith. The faith of the Catholic religion is based upon a knowledge and recognition of Jesus Christ who is the light of the soul, the gateway to life, the foundation of eternal salvation. Whoever lacks this knowledge and recognition, or has abandoned it, is like a man who walks through darkness of night without a light and like a person who rushes headlong through dangers with his eyes shut. However brilliant such a person's mind may be, he follows a blind leader when he follows his own understanding to grasp the secrets of heaven. He attempts to build a house without laying a foundation, he wants to enter through the roof because he left out a door. Jesus, then, is the foundation, light and door. It is he who will show himself as the way to those who go astray. He has shown to all the light of faith through which God can be sought while yet unknown, believed when the search is ended, and found when believed. This foundation supports the Church built on the name of Jesus.

The name of Jesus brings luster to those who proclaim it because he causes men to preach it and enlightens men to heed it. To what do you attribute such sudden and brilliant light of faith in the world if not to the preaching of Jesus? Has not God called us into his marvelous light through the brilliance and sweetness of this name? To those who were enlightened and who in this light were beholding the light, the Apostle could say: "You once were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of the light."

Glorious name, gracious name, name of love and of power! Through you sins are forgiven, through you enemies are vanquished, through you the sick are freed from their illness, through you those suffering in trials are made strong and cheerful. You bring honor to those who believe, you teach those who preach, you give strength to the toiler, you sustain the weary. Our love for you is ardent and glowing, our prayers are heard; the souls of those who contemplate you are filled to overflowing, and all the blessed in heaven are filled with your glory. Sweet Jesus, grant that with them we too may reign through this your most holy name.
(Proper of Offices of Franciscan Saints and Blessed in the Liturgy of the Hours, Volume I, Advent and Christmas Season, published by the English-Speaking Conference of the Order of Friars Minor, 1975)

Amen!

Again, I Wish you a blessed and Happy New Year!

Let us spend it walking in the Light and let us remember that...

"It is better to LIGHT ONE CANDLE than to curse the darkness."

Peace & blessing,

~Cindy

Blue Moon LIGHT

A new year! A new decade! Wow! And on top of that, we'll be ringing it in with a "blue moon," the second full moon in the month of December. Although not really a "celestial event," somehow it seems significant. It seems a "good sign". It can easily be seen and interpreted as a symbol of hope - an extra special light that shines over our darkened world at the time when the first decade of this new century passes and a new decade begins. I'm looking at it that way, anyway.

During the month when we remember and celebrate the LIGHT of the World coming into our midst at a time in history (Luke 2:1-20), we remember that the light overcame the darkness and that darkness could not overpower it. (John 1:1-18) In John 8:12, Jesus embraces the Light that he is and spoke to the people, saying, "I am the light of the world; anyone who follows me will not be walking in the dark; (s)/he will have the light of life."

In Matthew 5:14-15, Jesus tells us that when we follow him and embrace his light, we ourselves become light and we are to share our light with the world, giving glory to God, "You are the light of the world...No one lights a lamp to put it under a basket; they put it on the lampstand where it shines for everyone in the house. In the same way your light must shine in the sight of men, so that, seeing your good works, they may give the praise to your Father in heaven."

In this season of light, in this new decade beginning with the extra light of the "blue" moon, let us embrace and be filled with the light that is offered to us so fully and completely, and let us share that light with the world -- darkness can not overcome it! And let us sing....

This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine!
This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine!
This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine!
Let it shine! Let it shine! Let it shine!

Happy New Year! Happy New Decade!!

Let your light shine!!!

~Cindy

Another LIGHT in the World: Bob Hentzen

73-Year-Old Man Begins 8,000-Mile Walk in Solidarity With the Poor

Bob Hentzen is 73 years old. Starting out in Guatemala this very day, Bob has begun an over 8,000-mile walk through 12 countries across Central and South America that will conclude in April, 2011, shortly after his 75^th birthday. Bob is co-founder of the Christian Foundation for Children & Aging (CFCA) and he is continuing the walk he began in 1996 when he walked 4,000+ miles from Kansas City, KS, home to the international headquarters of CFCA. The first walk was one of gratitude and love for all the sponsored members; this walk is to help “counterbalance the isolation of people living in poverty, and show them that someone cares. By walking with them, we are saying you are not alone. We are listening to you and learning from you.” Along the way, Hentzen will be walking with and meeting with thousands of individuals and families, children, youth, and the aging, who are sponsored by CFCA supporters.

I am the proud sponsor of a young girl in San Lucas Toliman, Herlinda, and have had the privilege and joy of meeting with her, her single mother, and her siblings on more than one occasion. It is such a blessing to know that my simple monthly donation is helping this family to eat and for Herlinda to attend school. I get regular correspondences from her, translated by a family member or staff member of CFCA. I have met Bob Hentzen, as well, as he and his wife live just outside of San Lucas Toliman and he drives his horse and buggy over to the parroquia for lunch and a visit with pastor (and one of my real-life heroes), Fr. Greg Schaffer.

You can do something about poverty. Sponsor a child, youth or aging friend and help break the cycle of poverty in the world.

If you are looking to make a financial donation to a worthy organization before the end of the year, I highly recommend CFCA. 94.6% of all monies raised goes directly to projects that benefit children, youth & the elderly they serve. Charity Navigator, the nation’s largest evaluator of charities, gives CFCA its highest 4-star rating. This is the eighth consecutive year they have received this highest rating and CFCA was listed in Charity Navigator’s top 10 charities with the most consecutive 4-star evaluations. Less than 1% of all rated charities have received at least eight consecutive years with this high 4-star rating. The American Institute of Philanthropy also gives CFCA its top rating, giving it an A+ - the only child sponsorship organization to receive this rating from them. In addition, they’ve also met 20 rigorous standards created by the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance and were among the 200 largest U.S. charities included in the 2009 Forbes Magazine annual list of top nonprofits.

To sponsor a child or an elderly person, or to make a financial contribution, CFCA’s website is: http://www.cfcausa.org. You can follow Bob Hentzen’s walk at: http://www.walk2gether.org. From this site you can link to Facebook and Twitter to receive regular updates.

I just found out about this heroic walk today, the very day Bob set out with his first step, and I’m so glad I did. When I read about it, I was moved to tears. This man is 73 years old and is so filled with love and passion for those throughout the world who live in great poverty, and he has such respect and regard for them, that he left the comfort of home to walk more than 8,000 miles to be with them in love and solidarity. I, among many, will be walking with him in spirit and in prayer. It is a great privilege. I invite you to join us.

In Christ, who is the light of the world,

~Cindy

Our Lady of Rwanda/Immaculee

I'm a little amazed. Well, kind-of a lot amazed, really. Today was a weird kind-of day. I've been feeling out-of-sorts, lost, not sure what to do about a lot things in almost every area of my life, including my faith and spiritual life.

I had some time alone and found myself thinking about Jesus and how distant I feel from him. I came across a video that I purchased a couple of years ago, but never got around to watching: The Diary of Immaculee. I have been a great admirer of Immaulee Ilibagiza ever since I first saw her interview on 60-Minutes in December of 2006.

If you do not know her story, she is a survivor of the Rwandan genocide who has told her amazing story of survival, suffering, and forgiveness in her book Left to Tell. I definitely recommend that you read it. She has written a couple other books, as well, including Our Lady of Kibeho (more on that in a minute).

I have not thought of Immaculee in a very long time, but as I said, I picked up this previously unseen video, which was a short interview and documentary of her first trip home after starting her new life here in the U.S. It was incredibly moving.

After watching it I went to check on her website to see if anything was new. Her site led me to her blog (http://www.immaculee.info/) where I found that she is, right now, even as I write this, back in Rwanda, leading a group to Kibeho, the site of approved apparitions of Mary, Mother of the Word. The most amazing thing to me is that TODAY is the designated Feast Day in honor of Our Lady of Kibeho. I had no idea, none whatsoever. And upon Immaculee's blog I found this Prayer to Our Lady of Kibeho:

Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Word, Mother of all those who believe in Him and who welcome Him into their life, we are here before you to contemplate You. We believe that you are amongst us, like a mother in the midst of her children, even though we do not see You with our bodily eyes.
We bless you, the Sure way that leads us to Jesus the Savior, for, all the favors which You endlessly pour out upon us, especially, that, in your meekness, You were gracious enough to appear miraculously in Kibeho, just when our world needed it most.

Grant us always the light and the strength necessary to accept, with all seriousness, Your call to us to be converted, to repent, and to live according to your Son’s Gospel. Teach us how to pray with sincerity, and to love one another as He loved us, so that, just as You have requested, we may always be beautiful flowers diffusing their pleasant fragrance everywhere and upon everyone.

Holy Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows, teach us to understand the value of the cross in our lives, so that whatever is still lacking to the sufferings of Christ we may fill up in our own bodies for His mystical Body, which is the Church. And, when our pilgrimage on this earth comes to an end, may we live eternally with You in the kingdom of Heaven.

Amen.

Imprimatur: Gikongore, the 25th of March, 2006
+August Misgo-Bishop of Gikongoro

I also include here a link to a video that I found on youtube during with one of the visionaries speaks of Mary and light: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfTtIl_MXaU

Immaculee's books, including her newest title, If Only We Had Listened: Heaven Warned Rwanda Long Before the Genocide, are available at her website: http://www.immaculee.biz/.

I plan to get the book and begin anew to listen and to listen more closely with my heart.

For peace and light in our hearts and in our world, Our Lady of Kibeho, pray for us.

A blessed Advent.

Morning Prayer - Radiance

Ahhh....that the darkness be banished from our minds and we be filled with the Light of Christ...our morning prayer today.

All-powerful and ever-living God,
splendor of true light, and never ending day:
let the radiance of your coming
banish from our minds
the darkness of sin.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.

(Liturgy of the Hours, Week IV
Saturday Morning/Concluding Prayer)

Solemnity of All Saints - Lights in Our World!

Happy Feast Day!