The Rambler

  FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY  It turns out the Tin Man had a heart all along. He was pursuing something that he already possessed. What kind of a heart was it? We could describe it as an “awakened” heart. That’s the Wizard’s contribution: he awakens an otherwise dormant heart. What about the heart of Mary? Her heart will eventually be celebrated as the “Immaculate Heart.”  But that development comes later on in church history. Luke portrays her heart as a heart that ponders. Mary ponders what’s relayed to her by the shepherds (2:19). Furthermore, she reflects within her heart. She reflects when her son explains his prolonged stay in the Jerusalem temple (2:51). Finally, Luke provides one last detail concerning the heart of Mary: intense sorrow will be visited upon her heart (2:35).  Future generations will have the opportunity to explore the “Immaculate” nature of Mary’s heart. Luke concentrates on another aspect—the “receptive” aspect. The heart beating within her nee...

FEAST OF THE NATIVITY Mary gives birth in a stable because there were no rooms available at the inn (Luke 2:7). As far as welcomes go, this would have to rank as a limited welcome: Welcome to Bethlehem; we can’t accommodate you in the standard fashion, but we can make room for you out back, in the stable . As a result, the Holy Family has to make the best of the situation.  This aspect of the Christmas event brings to mind an old memory. The dog from my childhood was primarily an outdoor-dog. However, when the conditions were particularly severe, I would open the back door and let him into the house. I didn’t necessarily have explicit permission; this was one of those transgressions that would typically be overlooked—as long as the dog remained in the kitchen area.  For his part, the dog understood these boundaries. He would curl up on a rug in front of the sink. This was a safe place. He wasn’t likely to receive a scolding if he parked himself on that rug. We would have to...

  FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT [B] A Christmas special was released back in 1974, called “The Year Without A Santa Claus.”  It would feature two particularly colorful characters: The Heat Miser and the Snow Miser. They each introduce themselves by way of a song. While the chorus is being sung, the Heat Miser takes hold of a thermometer. As he does so, the mercury surges all the way to the top. Then, during the Snow Miser’s song, the mercury recedes to the bottom.  With this illustration in mind, let’s consider the subject matter of our second reading: the glory that belongs to God. Paul wants that glory to compound itself. That’s essentially what we are calling for when we pray the Glory Be . It’s all about registering a perpetual increase to the scale that measures the glory of God. Is this something we do because God stands in need of a recharge? Should we have to worry about the prospect of his glory draining away?  Classical theologians outline two categories: the int...

  THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT [B] The Holy Spirit receives honorable mention this weekend, being referenced within each of the three readings. In the Isaiah passage we learn something about what the Spirit has to offer in the way of blessings and/or benefits (61:1-3). We hear about the Spirit’s availability as we listen to this message about baptism in John chapter one (John 1:33). And then in our epistle, St. Paul issues a warning: be careful not to stifle or suppress the Holy Spirit (1st Thess. 5:19).  What does he mean by this? How should we understand this warning? Imagine trying to function with a net having been draped over you. Kirk Douglas finds himself caught within a net as he competes in the arena. Perhaps you recall that scene from the 1960 production, Spartacus . He has chosen a gladius and a shield for himself. Meanwhile, his opponent has selected the trident and the net. Kirk Douglas survives the ordeal—but just barely. The net posed a considerable problem for him....

  SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT [B] If you are not already looking ahead, these readings will motivate you to concentrate on the future, on what’s yet to unfold. It seems that these readings would have some appeal for a figure like St. Philip Neri (1515-1595, Italy). Serving as an ordained priest and a religious superior, he was the kind of person that you would seek out as a spiritual director. His memoirs record him conversing with a young man who’s feeling rather good about himself. He has his life mapped out, comprehensively: studying law; starting a practice; gaining a reputation; living a life of ease. As each phase is being listed off, St. Philip Neri responds by inquiring: And then what?   This extends the conversation further than would have been anticipated. The young man is being led into territory that has not yet been charted. What he regarded as a complete picture is now being exposed as simply a series of fleeting episodes. The saint’s approach continually begs the qu...

  SOLEMNITY OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION On the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, we celebrate not just the Virgin Mary, but also the God of the Blessed Virgin Mary. He is a faithful God; when he issues a calling, he likewise provides you with what you need so that you can live out that calling. In the case of Mary, she will serve as the Ark of the New Covenant (see Revelation 11:19). We know that the ark of the original covenant took shape through a combination of exquisite materials, superior craftsmanship, and divine direction (see Exodus 37). The stone tablets outlining the Ten Commandments would be housed within this sacred and exceedingly ornate vessel.  Roughly fourteen hundred years later, a New Covenant will be inaugurated. Jesus, who personifies the New Covenant, will reside within the womb of Mary for nine months. For all practical purposes, she will function as the New Ark. As the initial ark was the result of an extremely careful and detailed process, we wil...

  FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT [B] We’ll open by referencing an old story called The Sorcerer’s Apprentice . It’s a tale that dates back to 18th century Germany. It has since been adapted on two separate occasions by the Disney franchise (1940 and 2010). Essentially, the story has to do with a sorcerer who steps out, leaving his apprentice to oversee the workshop. The apprentice can’t resist paging through some of the restricted books, to include the Book of Spells . He begins experimenting, and soon loses control of the situation. When the sorcerer returns, he’s greeted with an outbreak of pandemonium. He quickly neutralizes the illicit spell and re-establishes a sense of order.  Next comes the reckoning. In the 1940 version (a segment within the Fantasia production), the role of the apprentice is played by Mickey Mouse. He anticipates a tongue-lashing, but receives only a severe glare. Mickey cowers under the intensity of the glare, and then slowly commits himself to cleaning up...