As we approach the end of this church year and prepare ourselves for Advent, and the preparation for the birth of Jesus on Christmas day, the readings at daily mass are focusing on the end times and the fact that eventually this world will come to an end and we will be facing the judgment seat of God. But they are also reminding us to live in the presence of God.
Our Lord in the gospel for today is reminding us that
the Kingdom of God is always near to us. It surrounds us in the different aspects of
nature, whether it’s trees growing and showing the beauty of God in the spring,
or by the onset of winter when the weather becomes cold and frigid. God is
present in every aspect of the natural elements that surround us. God’s kingdom
is also around us in the people that we encounter every day, whether it’s our
family or friends. The kingdom of God is always at hand. Our Lord is reminding us that we are always
living in the presence of God and need to always remember that this life of ours
is transitory. Jesus further reminds us that God’s presence is eternal. Our
Lord says, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.”
An early Carmelite saint, Brother Lawrence, who lived
from 1611 until 1691, talked about living in the presence of God. He was not a
priest, but rather a Lay Brother and was responsible for the daily chores in
the monastery he lived in. His simple faith that God was always with him, even
in the simple practice of washing the pots and pans, helped him to develop that
close relationship with God. This example reminds us that in all things we do,
whether it’s the small tasks of taking care of our household duties, or taking
care of our family, we should remind ourselves that God is always with us. Our
focus should always be looking forward to eternal life with God as we take care
of our duties here in this life. We need to do all things for our salvation and
the greater glory of God.
Brother Lawrence is quoted as saying, “Let us occupy ourselves entirely in knowing
God. The more we know Him, the more we will desire to know Him. As love
increases with knowledge, the more we know God, the more we will truly love
Him. We will learn to love Him equally in times of distress or in times of
great joy.”
Lord Jesus, as we approach the busy Advent season and the preparations to celebrate your birth, help us remember that you are always with us in all our activities, and help us to always live in the presence of God. Amen.
Very good reflection. I read Brother Lawrence's PRACTICE OF THE PRESENCE OF GOD back in the 1980s & I knew he was a lay brother & remember that he washed dishes & even used the ordinary task of washing dishes as a means of communing with God. I didn't realize he was a Carmelite brother.
ReplyDeleteThe season of Advent presents a contradiction. The Church presents Advent as a time of quiet reflection, meditation, perhaps penance, & preparation not only for the celebration of the coming of CHRIST at His birth at Christmas, welcoming the LORD's coming into our hearts & lives & His Second Coming at the end of the world. Very different from the world in which we live & sometimes seemingly impossible & unrealistic!
In contrast, the world we live in presents the pre Christmas season as a hectic, busy time, surrounded by Christmas music, decorations & shopping to buy the nicest gifts we can for our loved ones in a limited number of days counting down to Christmas. It can be at the same time a time of joyful excitement & anticipation & a time of stress or even panic, making us wonder how we will manage once again to get everything done in time for Christmas while juggling our everyday responsibilities at the same time & dealing with financial & time constraints.
This is where the practice of the Presence of God can be very helpful. Most of us live in the world & not in a cloister, so we need to reconcile the two worlds of the Church & the secular world. If we can remember that God is present with us wherever we go & in whatever we are doing, we can perform all our necessary tasks, including the everyday chores & all the duties of our station in life & the Christmas preparations, while inviting & welcoming Him into all our activities & thus find some peace & greater prayerful connection with Him, even in our busiest moments.
Dear Deacon Tom,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your reflection on yesterday’s theme of the Liturgical Readings of the Mass.
You have written:
"As we approach the end of this church year and prepare ourselves for Advent, and the preparation for the birth of Jesus on Christmas day, the readings at daily mass are focusing on the end times and the fact that eventually this world will come to an end and we will be facing the judgment seat of God. But they are also reminding us to live in the presence of God.”
I agree with your description of the ways we can live in the presence of God:
"...the Kingdom of God is always near to us. It surrounds us in the different aspects of nature, whether it’s trees growing and showing the beauty of God in the spring, or by the onset of winter when the weather becomes cold and frigid. God is present in every aspect of the natural elements that surround us. God’s kingdom is also around us in the people that we encounter every day, whether it’s our family or friends. The kingdom of God is always at hand.”
You have pointed out the expectations on Judgment Day for those who keep ‘faithful’ to God, by your statement:
"Our Lord is reminding us that we are always living in the presence of God and need to always remember that this life of ours is transitory. Jesus further reminds us that God’s presence is eternal. Our Lord says, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.”
To me these words are the clincher of God’s Promise to His people, upon those who have ears, and are willing to hear; and, in constant faithfulness, choose to keep His Word, deep within their hearts.
Then, you decided to add the example of Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection, a Discalced Carmelite Lay Brother, (one of my favorite writers of 'spiritual insights' into the heart of God):
“... Brother Lawrence, who lived from 1611 until 1691, talked about living in the presence of God. He was not a priest, but rather a Lay Brother and was responsible for the daily chores in the monastery he lived in. His simple faith that God was always with him, even in the simple practice of washing the pots and pans, helped him to develop that close relationship with God.”
You have interpreted his words by stating: "This example reminds us that in all things we do, whether it’s the small tasks of taking care of our household duties, or taking care of our family, we should remind ourselves that God is always with us. Our focus should always be looking forward to eternal life with God as we take care of our duties here in this life. We need to do all things for our salvation and the greater glory of God.”
I will keep in mind your short prayer for daily recitation, (with necessary changes), throughout the year:
"Lord Jesus, as we approach the busy Advent season and the preparations to celebrate your birth, help us remember that you are always with us in all our activities, and help us to always live in the presence of God. Amen.”
And I repeat, ‘AMEN! '
God bless you, always,
Nilda V., OCDS