Sunday Reflection - Let's Talk About Jesus

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When I first saw the picture above I found it amusing, however, later I started thinking about how many Christians seldom actually talk to another person about Jesus. Many people that I know who attend church regularly rarely talk publicly about their faith.

When Jesus was alive he said ‘go tell others what you have seen here’ - his followers were called the believers and they followed The Way. If they had been silent about the message of Jesus then all knowledge of him would have disappeared from history. The early believers spoke to others about Jesus even though many of them were ostracized and even killed for mentioning his name.

Why are so many of today’s Christians silent about the Good News of the coming of Jesus Christ?

What do you do? Do you talk in hushed tones about your faith beliefs or maybe you are silent about it?

Do you want to be able to talk with others about your Christian faith?

Here are some steps that you could take:

• Recognize that faith is a sensitive subject. Be prepared - remain calm, friendly, and welcoming.
• Make sure you are well informed about the Bible – this is very important.
• Wait for the appropriate time. The most agreeable circumstance is in a small group or one on one.
• When a discussion of faith is being held listen to the viewpoints of others without interrupting, objecting, or correcting. and calmly, say “You know that I'm a Christian, right? (they nod or whatever) Generally, the Christian belief is ________." Keep your response as brief as possible
• Remember your goal. Don't make this about you. Remember who you are - you are the face of Jesus that this person is seeing at that moment. Make sure you're presenting him accurately.
• Resist the temptation to quote a lot of scripture.
• A quiet, solid faith shows. If you can not be easily annoyed casual onlookers will know your faith is strong and deep. 



• As a Christian, stand for Jesus wherever you go. Make sure what you show people is a good example.
• Humility is so important. Tell them, "I can't speak for every Christian, only for myself. But for heaven's sake, don't follow me. Follow Him."
• If you show respect and kindness and have some understanding of Biblical principles you will be fine.

So, stop being a silent Christian – speak up!

peacesojourner

67th Anniversary of Bombing of Nagasaki

This week marks the 67th anniversary of the atomic bomb attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki

On August 6, 1945, the U.S. dropped the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima and then another on Nagasaki three days later, August 9, 1945. With just two bombs, more than 200,000 people -- mostly civilians -- were instantly incinerated or died from radiation poisoning by the end of 1945. Many more have died since and are still dying from the effects of radiation. The effect on future generations are still unknown.

Memorial in Nagasaki for those who died

Although Nagasaki has been completely rebuilt, powerful reminders of the atomic devastation can be found everywhere. The personal testimonies of the survivors, the Hibakusha, make the tragedy very real. Let us heed their plea:

"Never again!"

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Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. With that, one of Jesus' companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.

"Put your sword back in its place," Jesus said to him, "for all who live by the sword will die by the sword. (Matthew 26:50-53)

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Jesus’ Last Words to the Church

By Father John Dear, SJ

We have spent the last 1700 years, denying Jesus’ final command. We have justified warfare, led our crusades, and stamped every bombing raid and nuclear weapon with our blessing.

But the commandment remains: “Put down the sword.” I think one day the church will realize that the just war theory has no place in the Gospel. They’ll realize it was by no means exemplified by the life of Jesus. And the theory will fall into disrepute. One day the church will teach only Gospel nonviolence. And Christians everywhere will quit the military and refuse to join. They’ll obstruct warfare and beat all swords into plowshares.

The unarmed Christ wants his community, the church, to be a community of creative, loving nonviolence, I submit. It’s God’s holy gift to the world. The challenge then is to take him at his word.

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A friend shared the following message with me via e-mail - thought I would share it with everyone so that we can continue to learn.

"Yesterday I was with someone who had been in Japan for several weeks, and she mentioned that everywhere, there is braille, because so many were blinded by the bombings. All along the brass stair rails down into the subway, for example. There are varying feels to the walkways, so that the blind know where to walk. I had never realized that there were so many blind people!

*****

Imagine a world filled with peace and love.

peacesojourner

Sunday Reflection - Jesus Could You Forgive Me?

Rodney

photo by John Decker

Jesus Could You Forgive Me?

I wonder what would happen if Jesus came back to live among us. Suppose He just wanted to see up close what we’re doing with our lives, how we’re treating one another, and if we’re practicing the values of love, compassion, and mercy that He taught. I imagine Him taking on a human form that would allow Him to live as one of us. The Jesus I love probably would not take the position of a CEO of a large company or a well-known leader.

He might be more likely to return as a homeless person. The thought of that makes me shudder. For just last week, a homeless man approached me, and I turned away. Was it a lack of empathy on my part? Fear perhaps? It doesn’t matter why really. I could have been generous, but I chose to be selfish – not just with my money, but worse, with my heart. Dear Jesus, if that was you, could you forgive me?

He could come back as a lonely old man, like the one who lives next door to me. My neighbor keeps to himself and we seldom speak – and to be honest I haven’t made an effort to change that. I’ve never offered to help him lug his groceries up the stairs, scrape ice off his sidewalk, or do any of the many tasks that must surely challenge an elderly man. Have I been too lazy to be kind? Too self-involved to reach out? Jesus, if that is you, could you forgive me?

If I hurt them, did I not hurt Jesus, too? For He has said, “Inasmuch as you have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me”. So, still I must ask, Jesus, can you forgive me?

Every single day offers chances to be helpful, supportive, or generous. What do you do with your chances? Do you see a person in need as an opportunity to touch another life – or as an intrusion on your own? Do you walk away, when you could reach out? Do you judge, when you could support? When we fail to help, aren’t we failing Jesus? And ourselves?

If I could strive to treat those individuals as if they were Jesus, I’m pretty sure He would be a lot more pleased with the person I had become. And so would I.

written by David L. Weatherford

Matt 25:40 And the King will tell them, 'I assure you, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me.'

Matt 25:45 And he will answer, 'I assure you, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.'

On this Blessed Day Christ the Saviour is Born

Silent night, holy night

All is calm, all is bright

Round yon Virgin Mother and Child

Holy Infant so tender and mild

Sleep in heavenly peace

Sleep in heavenly peace

Silent night, holy night!

Shepherds quake at the sight

Glories stream from heaven afar

Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!

Christ, the Saviour is born

Christ, the Saviour is born

Silent night, holy night

Son of God, love's pure light

Radiant beams from Thy holy face

With the dawn of redeeming grace

Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth

Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth.

Noche de paz, noche de amor,

Todo duerme en derredor;

Fieles velando allí en Belén

Los pastores, la madre también,

Y la estrella de paz,

Y la estrella de paz.

Written by Austrian priest Father Josef Mohr -

Melody composed by Franz Xaver Gruber. In 1859

Wishing you and yours peace on this blessed day.

peacesojourner

The History of the Christmas Tree

What does the decorated evergreen tree have to do with the birth of Jesus? The answer is ‘very little’. There are cedar trees in Lebanon but this is not even close to Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus.

Centuries before the birth of Jesus the ancient pagans, Druids, Egyptians, Chinese, and Hebrews celebrated the Winter Solstice, (Dec. 21st), the day of the year that the Sun begins its ascent in the sky, thereby ushering a fertile time of planting and bountiful harvests. The evergreen tree represented eternal life and the promise of replenishment during the cold winter months. Apples and other fruit were hung upon the tree to represent the plentiful food to come. Candles were lit to symbolize the warmth and brightness of the sun. While the Christmas tree is generally associated with Christ, it predates the history of Jesus by many centuries.

Until about 1700, the use of Christmas trees appears to have been confined to the Rhine River District in Germany. From 1700 on, when lights were accepted as part of the decorations, the Christmas tree was well on its way to becoming a tradition. This Christmas tree tradition most likely came to the United States with Hessian troops during the American Revolution, or with German immigrants to Pennsylvania and Ohio.

However, the custom spread slowly. The Puritans banned Christmas in New England. Some Fundamentalist Christian groups oppose Christmas trees and even the celebration of Christmas for their members. This includes the Jehovah's Witnesses. Part of the opposition is because the custom of decorated trees originated in Paganism. They also oppose trees because of a literal interpretation of the quotation from Jeremiah 10:2-4:

"Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathens are dismayed at them. For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not." (KJV).

The Christmas tree market was born in 1851 when Catskill farmer Mark Carr hauled two ox sleds of evergreens into New York City and sold them all. By 1900, one in five American families had a Christmas tree, and 20 years later, the custom was nearly universal.

Christmas tree farms sprang up during the depression. Nurserymen couldn't sell their evergreens for landscaping, so they cut them for Christmas trees. Cultivated trees were preferred because they have a more symmetrical shape then wild ones.

Trees and branches can be made purposeful as well as symbolic. The tree is a symbol of a living Christmas spirit and brings into our lives a pleasant aroma of the forest.

Today, the Christmas tree has become accepted by most Christians, by people of other faiths, and for those who do not follow an organized religion. It has become a popular late-December tradition and part of our present-day culture.

I enjoy the Christmas tree and have many fond memories of decorating the tree with my family when I was a child, and when my own children were growing up. But it is important to remember that the tree and the decorations have more to do with enjoying the celebration of the changing seasons and absolutely has nothing to do with the purpose of the Christmas season, which is to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

However, to blend the two occasions an angel or star is often placed at the top of the tree, representing the host of angels or the Star of Bethlehem from the Nativity.

That seems to be a creative way to make a peaceful solution to this dilemma -

don't you agree?

peacesojourner

Sunday Reflection - Fourth Week of Advent

The Fourth Week of Advent

The Christmas season - those weeks immediately after Thanksgiving through the first of January - is a time of great anticipation and hopefulness. It is also a time of paradox, a contemplative time, an ambiguous season of bitter cold and cozy homes with family and friends gathered around the fireplace, of solstice celebrations and holiday lights, of reverence and loneliness, of renewal and dormancy. At Christmas time we are called to lift our spirits with good cheer and merry laughter; to appreciate the commonplace and simple things, like an evergreen tree set against the backdrop of a steel grey sky. The senses turn inward. The days grow darker. We burn candles and recall old dreams, dreams of our youth or years to come. We enjoy the bounty of local farmers - pumpkins, gourds, apples, squash. Cold weather vegetables and herbs, like parsley and thyme, come into renewed vigor with the first frost. It is a time when too many hunger for a warm embrace, to be loved, and for kindness. It is a time of evening carols and lessons, a time when special rose incense is burned, a time marked by contemplation, anticipation, waiting, watching, preparation in the Christian calendar for the birth of Jesus Christ. For a few short weeks, the world is sanctified with the fullness and richness of these paradoxes. As a Quaker, we believe that there is "that of God" in each person, regardless of a person's race, creed, social status, gender, level of education, or whether a person believes in God or not. This belief is an integral part of Quaker faith and practice. It invites us to remember, to recognize the sacred nature of the human heart. It invites us into the self-revealing loving presence of God and of Christ. But how can we find this "Christ centeredness" in such paradox of the season? For me, the spirit of Christ is the spirit of kindness, love and compassion. It is a consciousness that pervades heart and mind. The Light of Christ is a way of knowing the path of goodness. Christmas reminds me of these important lessons and a deeper knowing of the Light of Christ! A Seasonal Reflection -by Valerie Brown From the Kirkridge Retreat Center

Take time to be quiet and to rest Offer simple hospitality to others Express gratitude peacesojourner

Sunday Reflection - Today is the Third Sunday in Advent

Blessed Are You

Blessed are you, who like Mary, say Yes to God.

Blessed are you this advent as you prepare for the coming of Christ.

Blessed are you

when you reach out in love for one another, when you love your neighbor in need.

Blessed are you when you speak words of peace to one another.

Blessed are you when

you tell each other the good things God is doing in your lives.

Blessed are you when you welcome Jesus into your lives.

Rev, John Dear S.J.

Sunday Reflection - Today is the Second Sunday in Advent

Today is the second Sunday in Advent

The Advent season marks the beginning of the Christian year in many western churches in the United States. Its length varies from 22 to 28 days, starting on the Sunday nearest St Andrew’s Day (read this blog's Nov 30th entry) and encompassing the next three Sundays, ending on Christmas Day.

Many Christians in the United States attend a church service during Advent and may engage in activities such as special prayers and contributing to ideas on enhancing peace. Many Advent traditions are observed in the United States in the prelude to Christmas Day. For example, the Advent wreath is becoming increasingly popular in the United States. The wreath can be seen in various churches across the nation around this time of the year.

Advent calendars of all designs are also given as gifts at this time of the year. The calendars feature openings in the form of windows or doors that are numbered to count the days to Christmas. Calendars may contain chocolates, toys, or candy and are given to children as a fun way to observe the Christmas countdown. Some traditional Advent calendars show 24 days but many Advent calendars showing 25 days, with the last opening on Christmas Day.

It is uncertain as to when exactly the celebration of Advent was first introduced in the Christian church. Some sources say that Advent began on November 11 (St Martin's Day) at some time in the fifth century in the form of a six-week fast leading to Christmas. Advent was reduced to its current length at some stage in the sixth century and the fasting was later no longer observed. Advent is originally a time to reflect and prepare for Christmas

Advent traditions spread from Europe to the United States, especially the Advent calendar, which became very popular in the United States after World War II as American military personnel and their families who were stationed in Germany brought them home and made them a part of the pre-Christmas traditions

Purple is historically the main color used for Advent because it reflects penitence, fasting, and the color of royalty to welcome the Advent of the king (Jesus Christ). The focus of the entire season is the celebration of the birth of Jesus the Christ in his first Advent, and the anticipation of the return of Christ the King in his second Advent.

Advent wreaths are symbolic of Advent. They are usually made of fir and decorated with gold and silver ribbons or scarlet woolen threads. Lit wreaths may be displayed on the table where family and friends sit while singing carols and preparing handmade gifts.

So there you have it:

Advent is a period of spiritual preparation in which many Christians make themselves ready for the coming, or birth of the Lord, Jesus Christ. During this time, Christians observe a season of prayer, fasting and repentance, followed by anticipation, hope and joy - not only by thanking God for Christ's first coming to Earth as a baby, but also for his presence among us today through the Holy Spirit, and in preparation and anticipation of his final coming at the end of time.

peacesojourner

Sunday Reflection - Consider the Lilies of the Field

Do not worry about your life, what you will eat;

nor about the body, what you will put on. . .

Consider the ravens,

for they neither sow nor reap,

which have neither storehouse nor barn;

and God feeds them.

Of how much more value are you than the birds? . . . .

Consider the lilies, how they grow:

they neither toil nor spin;

and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory

was not arrayed like one of these.

If then God so clothes the grass,

which today is in the field

and tomorrow is thrown into the oven,

how much more you, O you of little faith?

And do not seek what you should eat

or what you should drink,

nor have an anxious mind.

For all these things the nations of the world seek after,

and your Father knows that you need these things.

But seek the Kingdom of God,

and all these things shall be added to you.

--Jesus Christ (Luke 12:22, 30-31)

Sunday Reflection - On the Loss of a Child

Just four months ago I wrote about an eight-year-old boy, Tumaini, who was hit and killed by a car and how his death pulled the community together.

This week, shortly after noon on Wednesday, in front of dozens of shoppers, witnesses say a driver struck and killed eight-year-old Richard Alexander Colon, after hitting him twice and then the driver tried to take off.

On the first day of every month, Antonio Colon took his two grandsons on a "field trip". The outing was not extravagant, just lunch at McDonald's where the family could enjoy each others company. Richard was holding his grandfather's hand when, for unknown reasons, the motorist accelerated in reverse, and the out of control car hit the young boy.

A witness stated "There was a lot of blood, a lot of blood.'

The family said that he looked forward to was the monthly get-together with his grandfather. They called it their field trip. The grandfather had gone over to Tops with Richie to pick up a few things and then get his brother Victor, and they were going to go to McDonald's for lunch. It was their time for bonding.

A memorial outside the store, overflowing with flowers has attracted a steady flow of neighborhood residents who came to the scene to pay their respects.

In the supermarket, which is just one block from my home, workers were accepting donations to assist the Colon family with funeral expenses, as were workers at the M&T Bank branch there. Teachers at Frank A. Sedita Academy also were taking up a collection to help the family.

I drove past the funeral home when the wake was being held. There were hundreds of people in the parking lot and I felt glad to know that Buffalo is the kind of city where people come together in times of tragedy. Everyone wants to help in some kind of way.

In addition to his father and 12-year-old brother Victor II, Richard is survived by his mother, Yeli Colon, and another brother, Jose Cruz Jackson, 18

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There's nothing quite so agonizing as the death of a child. It is ironic that every day of the week, many of us walk out our door and never look back, figuring everything is forever, including our children. Often we are too busy to realize that the most precious things we have also can be the most fleeting.

I have had the experience of losing more than one child and was often filled with questions.

I can tell you that the memories never go away but somehow the pain does reduce itself to a dull ache in the deepest corners of the heart. They are still there in our memories, imprinted alive and fresh with us forever. Their memories are as fresh as the dew, as warm as the first ray of sunlight and as calm as the peacefulness of a cold winter night.

Bible quotes have always been a source of strength and guiding light for me. In times of despair and sorrow, we can turn towards it for peace, wisdom, endurance and courage to face the truth. I personally have found the following passages from the Bible to be of some comfort.

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"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going." ~ John 14:1-4

Jesus said "Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it." And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them." ~ Mark 10:13-16

Ecclesiastes 3:2, a time to be born and a time to die.

Matthew 5:4 "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted."

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I pray for Richard’s family, and I give a prayer of gratitude for my own life and my family for all of the gifts that we are given unconditionally by a power higher than us.

I also pray for the driver of the car and his family that they will somehow find peace of mind. He states that he experienced a medical problem at the time of the accident.

I share this with you as a reminder that most of us really have very little to complain about and we sometimes forget to take note of the goodness in our lives. The next time that you are feeling low in spirits try counting your blessings.

peacesojourner