As I do each Advent and Christmas (and Lent as well), I am using a small book to read and reflect upon each day. This year it is Daily Reflections for Advent & Christmas - Waiting in Joyful Hope 2010-11 by Robert F. Morneau.
Today is the 5th Day of Christmas and it is also the memorial (optional) for Saint Thomas à Becket. For today's reflection in the book, Bishop Morneau weaves together the daily readings from today's mass and Becket. In today's Gospel we hear about Simeon and how the Holy Spirit was upon him. The Holy Spirit was also upon Becket. Morneau brings forth that both men were "enlightened" by the Holy Spirit.
He the brings in the words of "brilliant Dominican theologian Yves Congar," who wrote widely on the Holy Spirit and who said that the Holy Spirit "set things in motion."
Morneau then posed the question "What roles does the Holy Spirit play in your life? What sets you in motion - for good or ill?" Pulling from today's first reading from the Letter of John, he also asks about any who have been "agents of light and love" in our lives.
This really has me thinking about how the Holy Spirit sets things in motion. In my own life I think of how seemingly small decisions lead to life change. I decided, on a whim no less, to go to daily mass the day before my wedding. I had never been to daily mass at St. Edward's before. On a similar whim, I decided to actually answer Fr. Pat when he posed a question during the homily at that mass and we began to engage.
As a result of this, I spoke to Father as well as to some parishioners and my life was set in a different direction than it might have if I had not gone to mass or if I had not responded out loud to the question.
That was the Holy Spirit setting my new life into motion. And Fr. Pat, along with some parishioners became agents of light for me. Thanks be to God! Today, pretty much everything in my life is completely different as a result and my life is so enriched by the beautiful communities that I am a part of at St. Edward's, at Immaculate Conception, where I work and in this diocese of Albany.
And these replies are just the tiniest tip of the iceberg for me!
In any event, this is not unrelated to questions being asked at the Loyola press blog, People for Others yesterday and today... What do you say yes to when you say yes to Jesus, was Paul Brian Campbell's question for yesterday. And today he poses the opposite, what do you say no to? Over at More Meredith Gould, Meredith talked about her own journey with yes. If we don't say yes in some way, how can this journey even begin?
Thus I pose these questions to you all today... How has the Holy Spirit set things in motion in your life? Who are agents of light and love for you? What do you say yes to, when you say yes to Jesus? And what do you say no to?
These things are deep in the heart of this season of birth and light and journey and family. None of this happens without something being born, none of this happens without illumination, none of this happens without journey. And none of this happens without relationship - with God and with one another.
This is a great story - I hope that you will fill it out someday.
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way -- five years ago the Holy Spirit set in motion major changes in my life by prompting me to ask someone for help with something and by prompting him to say yes.
What do you say yes to when you say yes to Jesus?
ReplyDeleteThought provoking as ever Fran. Thanks.
This has given me a lot to think about, Fran. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteOh yeah... oh yeah....
ReplyDeleteIsn't it amazing Fran that he gives us exactly what we need when we need it? As I reflect back on my own path, I see his hand at each step. I would never have imagined that I would have been working at my church but in retrospect I see the Holy Spirit at work. We are truly blessed, aren't we?
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the great comments. I guess the Holy Spirit put me to work this morning and I actually cooperated!
ReplyDeleteThe Holy Spirit told me to take a nap and I'm going to be obedient!
ReplyDelete