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Advent is quickly approaching. This Sunday marks the beginning of the (Western) Church calendar. Advent is such a wonderful time of looking forward to the celebration of the Nativity (aka "Christmas"). Advent - which I believe is derived from the Latin, 'adventus' or 'coming' - is a time of both reflection and anticipation. Christians are called to reflect on the mystery of the Incarnation: God becoming eternally joined with humanity in the person of Jesus. We remember how the Messiah came into the world that He might recreate it, that he might bring salvation. Also, we anticipate His coming again to finish the work that was initiated in Bethlehem. We look forward with hope towards that second coming of Christ when all things are brought to fulfillment and all things are put right.
St. John's Gospel, though not normally thought of when considering Christmas texts, contains a most amazing and beautiful Nativity account:
And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.
With so few words John expresses the mystery of the Incarnation to us: the eternal Word of God became human. In a poor stable in a rural backwater town God's glory shined forth. In that newborn baby's cry, the Gospel was declared - the Word of God spoke a message of hope to a world in need.
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Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Friday, November 19, 2010
Words and the violence we do to others...
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The other day I was waiting for my bus and overheard a couple talking. I wasn't really paying attention to what they were talking about until I heard one of them use an all too familiar word: crackhead.
My dear wife has often told me that when she was growing up there were certain words that she was not allowed to use: stupid, idiot, etc. In contrast to her experience, I had no qualms with using these words. Especially with my friends in high school, we would call each other these and other much worse terms. It often seemed as mild derision was a sign of friendship. For my wife, these words were not acceptable.
I think that I've been particularly sensitive to the term 'crackhead' since I began working with street youth several years ago. I miss working with those kids - they were good kids. Yeah, many swore to no end; most were unkept to varying degrees; some were confrontational; some were unpredictable; many had problems with drugs or alcohol; there was mental illness; so many had deep wounds that came out in unexpected ways and at unexpected times... so many of them were so very broken. They were drug addicts - they were street kids. But they were not crackheads... they were beautiful human beings in desperate need of love and healing. I hate the term crackhead. I hate it because it steals all the humanity of these people in two simple syllables. I hate it for the scorn, the judgment, the condemnation that it carries. With one word all their humanity is put aside and forgotten; with one word these people are made to be a caricature of themselves. One aspect of their life is made to replace all the rest. Multifaceted human beings are suddenly reduced to one-dimensional shadows of their former selves. I hate the word.
I still use the words 'stupid' and 'idiot'. I try not to when I'm around my wife - or her sisters and their kids. I still use them when talking with some of my close friends. Though I still use these words, I try to be conscious of how they are received. I mean no offence when I use them.
The words we use can do violence to others. They can make others feel worthless. They can cause pain. We use them to justify they ways that we react to, and treat, others.
I think the words that we choose to describe others reveals more about us than it does about them. That's a thought worth taking seriously. Why do we feel the need to attempt to dehumanize others? What does that say about us?
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The other day I was waiting for my bus and overheard a couple talking. I wasn't really paying attention to what they were talking about until I heard one of them use an all too familiar word: crackhead.
My dear wife has often told me that when she was growing up there were certain words that she was not allowed to use: stupid, idiot, etc. In contrast to her experience, I had no qualms with using these words. Especially with my friends in high school, we would call each other these and other much worse terms. It often seemed as mild derision was a sign of friendship. For my wife, these words were not acceptable.
I think that I've been particularly sensitive to the term 'crackhead' since I began working with street youth several years ago. I miss working with those kids - they were good kids. Yeah, many swore to no end; most were unkept to varying degrees; some were confrontational; some were unpredictable; many had problems with drugs or alcohol; there was mental illness; so many had deep wounds that came out in unexpected ways and at unexpected times... so many of them were so very broken. They were drug addicts - they were street kids. But they were not crackheads... they were beautiful human beings in desperate need of love and healing. I hate the term crackhead. I hate it because it steals all the humanity of these people in two simple syllables. I hate it for the scorn, the judgment, the condemnation that it carries. With one word all their humanity is put aside and forgotten; with one word these people are made to be a caricature of themselves. One aspect of their life is made to replace all the rest. Multifaceted human beings are suddenly reduced to one-dimensional shadows of their former selves. I hate the word.
I still use the words 'stupid' and 'idiot'. I try not to when I'm around my wife - or her sisters and their kids. I still use them when talking with some of my close friends. Though I still use these words, I try to be conscious of how they are received. I mean no offence when I use them.
The words we use can do violence to others. They can make others feel worthless. They can cause pain. We use them to justify they ways that we react to, and treat, others.
I think the words that we choose to describe others reveals more about us than it does about them. That's a thought worth taking seriously. Why do we feel the need to attempt to dehumanize others? What does that say about us?
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Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Thoughts on Patriotism: Dulce et decorum...
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On my walk home from work there is a little war memorial - I walk by it often. There is a cenotaph and a mural.
I've stopped more than a few times to consider the images on the wall. It has large image of some soldiers walking together from a destroyed town. The soldiers look like average young men; they're certainly not the typical action heroes... just average guys. There is another image of soldiers leaving naval vessels and walking waist deep in the water onto the desolate land, which spreads out in the background with war planes flying overhead. I stare at these images and struggle to imagine the reality that they represent... but I can't.
The cenotaph has a large cross and a statue of a WWI soldier kneeling at the feet of it. The cenotaph has plaques all around the sides. Each plaque has a name with a date and a place on it. These are names of men who died at war. Some died in the field of battle; some died on ships crossing the sea. None of them made it home to their families.
There is another plaque on this cenotaph which reads, "DULCE ET DECORUM EST PRO PATRIA MORI". Since I enjoy all things Latin, I came over to read this. It means, 'It is sweet and glorious to die for the fatherland'.
I struggle at times like Remembrance Day. Let me be clear: I'm not a patriot. The sight of the maple leaf does not stir my heart. I don't bother to sing "O Canada" at sports games. I hear the rhetoric of nationhood and it rings hollow in my ear. Do I love Canada? No. It seems to me that patriotism is most often invoked merely for manipulation. Politicians tell us how wonderful our nation is to make us feel good about ourselves and about whatever it is that they do in the function of their office.
Am I jaded? Cynical? I don't think so. I have yet to hear a well-reasoned or convincing argument for patriotism. I see it being pulled out to motivate the masses when it is convenient for those in power to invoke it. I see it selling soft drinks, beer, cars, and flags. I don't often see patriotism doing something positive.
On Remembrance Day I take time (two minutes usually) to honour those who answered the call for patriots to defend the life that we enjoy. I may not be a patriot. I may not believe that there is something intrinsically good about being Canadian and living in Canada. I may not buy the rhetoric of patriotism; but let me tell you, I am thankful for the life I enjoy. I am thankful for the peace and stability that we find here in Canada. I am thankful for those who fought and died for these things.
Is it 'sweet and glorious to die for the fatherland'? I don't think so. But it is a great and noble thing to give one's life for the safety and stability of so many people. For that sacrifice on my behalf, I thank God indeed.
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On my walk home from work there is a little war memorial - I walk by it often. There is a cenotaph and a mural.
I've stopped more than a few times to consider the images on the wall. It has large image of some soldiers walking together from a destroyed town. The soldiers look like average young men; they're certainly not the typical action heroes... just average guys. There is another image of soldiers leaving naval vessels and walking waist deep in the water onto the desolate land, which spreads out in the background with war planes flying overhead. I stare at these images and struggle to imagine the reality that they represent... but I can't.
The cenotaph has a large cross and a statue of a WWI soldier kneeling at the feet of it. The cenotaph has plaques all around the sides. Each plaque has a name with a date and a place on it. These are names of men who died at war. Some died in the field of battle; some died on ships crossing the sea. None of them made it home to their families.
There is another plaque on this cenotaph which reads, "DULCE ET DECORUM EST PRO PATRIA MORI". Since I enjoy all things Latin, I came over to read this. It means, 'It is sweet and glorious to die for the fatherland'.
I struggle at times like Remembrance Day. Let me be clear: I'm not a patriot. The sight of the maple leaf does not stir my heart. I don't bother to sing "O Canada" at sports games. I hear the rhetoric of nationhood and it rings hollow in my ear. Do I love Canada? No. It seems to me that patriotism is most often invoked merely for manipulation. Politicians tell us how wonderful our nation is to make us feel good about ourselves and about whatever it is that they do in the function of their office.
Am I jaded? Cynical? I don't think so. I have yet to hear a well-reasoned or convincing argument for patriotism. I see it being pulled out to motivate the masses when it is convenient for those in power to invoke it. I see it selling soft drinks, beer, cars, and flags. I don't often see patriotism doing something positive.
On Remembrance Day I take time (two minutes usually) to honour those who answered the call for patriots to defend the life that we enjoy. I may not be a patriot. I may not believe that there is something intrinsically good about being Canadian and living in Canada. I may not buy the rhetoric of patriotism; but let me tell you, I am thankful for the life I enjoy. I am thankful for the peace and stability that we find here in Canada. I am thankful for those who fought and died for these things.
Is it 'sweet and glorious to die for the fatherland'? I don't think so. But it is a great and noble thing to give one's life for the safety and stability of so many people. For that sacrifice on my behalf, I thank God indeed.
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Monday, November 1, 2010
All Saints Day - Understanding Veneration
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One of my favourite days on the Christian calendar is November 1st - All Saints Day. Yes, I have many 'favourites', but All Saints Day is a wonderful chance to spend time meditating on that host of holy men and women who have gone before us. It is a difficult endeavour trying to live a holy life, i.e. one dedicated to loving God and loving neighbour. As with most things in life, it helps to have mentors - people who can point the way, give advice, and provide example - who can inspire and empower us towards the holy life, towards God. Scripture presents this concept of saintly 'mentorship' beautifully. In the Epistle to the Hebrews we read,
Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Indeed, we do have a great clouds of witnesses surrounding us. I often look to one or another of these witnesses for inspiration, for help, for the strength to lay aside that which weighs me down so that I can run the race with my eyes fixed on Jesus. Veneration of the saints, though it may seem strange to many who are not used to such language, is nothing less than contemplation and worship of Jesus. That holiness that I see in the saints, that I seek to emulate... that holiness is the radiant beauty of Jesus. The Christian path is one of becoming Christ-like. The reality of the incarnation would allow nothing less. St. Athanasius wrote that "God became man so that man might become God". The Catechism of The Catholic Church also expresses this idea quite well: "The Word became flesh to make us partakers of the divine nature: For this is why the Word became man, and the Son of God became the Son of man: so that man, by entering into communion with the Word and thus receiving divine sonship, might become a son of God."
When I see the Divine light shining in others, I see nothing less than Jesus Himself growing in them. To do anything other than venerate this light, i.e. to recognize and honour this holiness, would be a failure to love and worship God. Thanks be to God that we need not walk this path alone. We have brothers and sisters to encourage, to teach, and to inspire. This is why I love All Saints Day: I'm reminded that I'm in good company... I'm reminded that I'm not alone on this difficult journey. Together with the saints who have come before we walk towards the light that is our healing, our salvation - with their assistance we walk the road of love towards Him who is love incarnate.
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One of my favourite days on the Christian calendar is November 1st - All Saints Day. Yes, I have many 'favourites', but All Saints Day is a wonderful chance to spend time meditating on that host of holy men and women who have gone before us. It is a difficult endeavour trying to live a holy life, i.e. one dedicated to loving God and loving neighbour. As with most things in life, it helps to have mentors - people who can point the way, give advice, and provide example - who can inspire and empower us towards the holy life, towards God. Scripture presents this concept of saintly 'mentorship' beautifully. In the Epistle to the Hebrews we read,
Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Indeed, we do have a great clouds of witnesses surrounding us. I often look to one or another of these witnesses for inspiration, for help, for the strength to lay aside that which weighs me down so that I can run the race with my eyes fixed on Jesus. Veneration of the saints, though it may seem strange to many who are not used to such language, is nothing less than contemplation and worship of Jesus. That holiness that I see in the saints, that I seek to emulate... that holiness is the radiant beauty of Jesus. The Christian path is one of becoming Christ-like. The reality of the incarnation would allow nothing less. St. Athanasius wrote that "God became man so that man might become God". The Catechism of The Catholic Church also expresses this idea quite well: "The Word became flesh to make us partakers of the divine nature: For this is why the Word became man, and the Son of God became the Son of man: so that man, by entering into communion with the Word and thus receiving divine sonship, might become a son of God."
When I see the Divine light shining in others, I see nothing less than Jesus Himself growing in them. To do anything other than venerate this light, i.e. to recognize and honour this holiness, would be a failure to love and worship God. Thanks be to God that we need not walk this path alone. We have brothers and sisters to encourage, to teach, and to inspire. This is why I love All Saints Day: I'm reminded that I'm in good company... I'm reminded that I'm not alone on this difficult journey. Together with the saints who have come before we walk towards the light that is our healing, our salvation - with their assistance we walk the road of love towards Him who is love incarnate.
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