Category: Musings

Advent: A Season of Expectation, Pt. 3

Published by mhelbert on December 12, 2019

I didn’t intend that these Advent musings would become a multi-part project. But, you know what they say about best laid plans.
In the first part I looked at the expectations of ancient Israel. They looked forward to the arrival of a Warrior King molded after King David. He would deliver Israel from her enemies and reign over the Earth with righteousness and justice.

Yesterday we saw who really arrived.
Not a Warrior King. But, a Servant King.
In Jesus, God completely disarmed the powers of that day by subverting the very idea of violence with embodied Love.

Ok. So what?

What does the Advent of Jesus 2,000 years ago have to do with celebrating Advent today?

The Church has believed since its beginning that Jesus would return one day. As Jesus stood on a hill with his disciples he gave them some final instructions. Then, the writer of the book of Act recorded,

After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.
They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them.
“Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

The early believers thought that Jesus would return soon. That He would descend from the clouds and God’s reign would be realized on earth as it is in heaven.

The anticipated return of Jesus is what we celebrate now at Advent.
And, we wait expectantly for His arrival.

But, what do we expect to see?

There are many who look to the Bible and see the same descriptions of Messiah that the ancient Israelites saw. They recognize that the first Advent of Jesus did not look anything like the Warrior King of Scripture. So, that must mean that at the second Advent Jesus will come as the Warrior King and subdue all of His enemies. He will then establish a New Earth and a New Heaven in which He reigns with an iron scepter.

The Bible is chock full of such imagery.
The Revelation of St. John describes this kind of Return of the King.
Tolkien has nothing on John!

These same people believe that when Jesus returns everyone who has not chosen to follow Jesus will be gathered together and cast into an everlasting lake of fire where they will be eternally tormented and punished for their unbelief.

Is this really what we should expect?

I’m not so sure.

Throughout the Bible God is revealed as Just and Righteous, to be sure.
God is also the friend of the humble, the widow, the orphan, and the stranger.
God is patient and gentle.
The image of a mother hen protecting her young is given to describe God.

Jesus came, not as a warrior to seek vengeance on God’s enemies and win vindication for Israel.
No. He came as a servant to deliver the Cosmos from the sting of Death.
He came to give life abundantly to The. Whole. Cosmos.

Do we really think that at Jesus’ second Advent his character will have changed?

No. I don’t think so.

I think that the expectations of those waiting for a Warrior King will be as far off as they were at Jesus’ first Advent.
I think that if Love reigned as the Kingdom of God approached then.
If Love has reigned ever since Jesus disappeared into the clouds all of those years ago.
Then, Love will continue to reign when Jesus returns.

Let’s put aside any image of God that does not welcome sinner and saint together in the Great Loving Heart of God.

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Advent: A Season of Expectation

Published by mhelbert on December 10, 2019

Advent is that time before Christmas that the Church set aside in order to Prepare for the Arrival of Messiah.
In history, that Messiah is recognized as Jesus of Nazareth.
In our time we prepare for the return of Messiah Jesus in Glory.

The people of ancient Israel had their own expectations about the Messiah.
Their prophets told stories about the coming King of Israel.
The Psalmists sang about how God would restore the fortunes of Israel through a King like David. David, a mighty warrior and leader who fought to deliver God’s people from the perils of their enemies.
The “Idea” of Messiah grew into mythic proportions by the time that Jesus was born.
Messiah would be a great military leader who would rally Israel against her tormentors and enemies from Rome. This would establish Israel as the leading military power in the known world.
The Messiah would judge Israel in all righteousness and justice. The poor would be cared for and succor given to the widow and orphan. Foreigners would flock to Jerusalem to hear the Word of God and receive justice.

This Messiah would be, in fact, a King of Kings.

This concept of a Messiah King was ingrained in the cultural fabric of the people of Israel.
Jesus’ own disciples held tightly to the hope of a military and political Messiah.
Throughout the time that Jesus walked with them they questioned Jesus about such things as, “Who’s the greatest among us?” or, “Who will get to sit at the right and left hand of Jesus when he sits on his throne?” or again, “Shall we now call down fire on these unrepentant Samaritans?”
They asked Jesus when his reign as Messiah King would begin. They queried Jesus about times and events that, to their minds, would easily be recognized as the beginning of Jesus’ reign of power on earth.
I can just imagine the hope that arose in them as Jesus rode into Jerusalem on what we now celebrate as Palm Sunday.
“Yes!” I can hear James and John saying. “It’s happening!!! Finally, the King has returned!”

Expectations of empire.
Expectations of earthly power.
Expectations of God vindicating God’s self on all those “Others” out there who stand against Israel.

You know, it doesn’t seem as though expectations have changed all that much in 2,000 years.

Oh, by the way…
They were wrong then, too.

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Confession: I’ve A Way To Go

Published by mhelbert on December 9, 2019

I don’t think that anyone really likes looking in mirrors.
Regardless of how much of a narcissist we may be, I think that we always find something lacking. There is some imperfection that our eyes immediately zoom in on. There’s that hair I missed while shaving this morning. And, damn! it’s right under my nose! Or, that zit that appeared in the last five minutes. Or, there’s a new wrinkle.

And, yet, we must look at ourselves in order to view these things. How can I get rid of that hair if I don’t see it? Yeah, riddle me that!

Oh, I suppose I could not look and wonder why when people look at me their eyes are drawn to that spot on my face that’s growing an oak tree sized hair. Of course, they would be too polite to say anything. The hair would remain until I could see it in a reflection of some sort, whether a mirror or Narcissus’ pool. Then, I could shave it off and all would be well again.

There are other kinds of reflections that we don’t like to see.

Yesterday I had the pleasure of visiting with our parish priest and his husband as they opened their home to us. They provided food and good hospitality. Many from the parish stopped in to visit share our time and lives, however briefly, with one another.

As I sat, munching on some really good food, (thanx Rob!), I listened to various conversations. People talked about art and ballet, restaurants and theater. They shared about their kids and their homes. They laughed and joked about high prices and low values. It was a typical gathering of folks living in middle-class America.

And, I felt hopelessly out of place.

It’s not because I don’t live a privileged life. I do.
Nor do I begrudge these others their good fortune. I don’t.

However, there’s no way that I can relate to them.
I’m from a different era than most of these.
While my parents tried to keep up with the Joneses, I am a child of the 60s. We had an idealism that pretty much abandoned that whole race of the rodents. And, it seems 50 years on I still hold to some of that old idealism.
But, there is a part of me that would really, really like to be able to afford tickets to Broadway plays or to travel in order to see some exhibit of art or ballet.
The bottom line is, though, my wife and I simply can’t do those things.
Especially now that I’m looking at retirement. There are limits, some of them pretty constricting, to what we are able to do.

That leads me to my confession.

Envy.

Yep, that Green Eyed creature that lurks in the blackness of want and desire.
While I would really like to think of myself as above such material things that these other folks were talking about, I’m not. Don’t think ill of me. I’m just a guy who struggles with the whole being human thing.

So why is this an issue?

My envy belies something that is deeper than just desire.
It reveals a feeling of entitlement and superiority.
I am exposed as someone common and vulgar.
Envy shows me that I am still attached to stuff.
There are still gods and idols that my heart and mind bow to that are not worthy of my attention. Yet, they snatch and grab at me. My eyes become averted from the overwhelming blessings that I have received and focus on what I don’t.

That’s why it’s an issue.
I looked in the mirror and saw envy staring back at me.
Hopefully, now that I see it I can cut it off.

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It’s The Most Wonderful Time…

Published by mhelbert on December 5, 2019

“You better hustle your bustle, Missy!” he said to the young girl.
Her small hand holding firm to his as her short legs churned to keep up.
“We don’t want to be late, now. Do we?”
Looking up she saw the broad smile across her Dad’s face.
Eyes glittering, she smiled back and shook her head.

They walked past store windows with bright displays of Christmas trees and gifts. Trains chugga-chugged around the bottom of the trees. Real smoke huffing and puffing from the locomotives.
Characters dressed up in caps and scarfs, heads moving back and forth as carols rang out, stood next to stacks of wrapped boxes.

The man and his daughter walked through a great, revolving door into a huge store. People rushing about with bags and packages in their arms. Others milling about counters sniffing various fragrances. Other children standing next to those people looking bored.

To the escalator the two hurried.
Second floor: Housewares
Hurry around to the next set of moving stairs.
Third floor: Bedding and Curtains.
One more time around the block!
Fourth floor…
Christmas Town!

The young girl looked around, her eyes wide with amazement.
There were trees decorated with all different colors of lights and ornaments.
White puffs that looked like snow covered the floors next to the aisles.
Row after row of toys and elves stood all around them.

At the end of one aisle there was a tall red and white poll standing.
Beneath it there was a team of reindeer pawing the ground and bobbing their heads.
A great, red sleigh sat behind them.

“Hurry, Daddy!” the girl cried. “There’s already a line!”
“You run and get in line,” he said releasing her hand.
As she queued up, she looked back at him.
Her eyes aglow, a great smile that seemed to light up her face.
Soon, she would see, well, you know…

May your hopes and dreams and the anticipation of good things bring you joy as you walk through this most wonderful time of the year.

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Wednesday Morning Musing

Published by mhelbert on December 4, 2019

“How big is God?” the young child asked.
I scratched my chin and thought.
“Well, Peter Gabriel thinks that God is a Really. Big. God,” I mused to myself.
The god that I used to pray to was pretty small, I guess.
That god was always pissed off at the pettiest things. He was the Cosmic Grumpy McGrumperson. He seemed ready to just send everyone to Hell and take names later.

Then, I realized that God isn’t like that at all.
No, God is as big as the Cosmos.
God’s love extends beyond the reaches of the Universe.
God laughs!

“My child, God is bigger than your imagination.
God smiles as God hides inside a Nebula.
God puts Diviner hands over God’s laughing eyes and plays
Peek-a-boo with a comet.
God races across the Cosmos to send a Pulsar spinning like a top.
Yet, God finds Joy resting within your little heart.
God wraps up in your love and your desire just as you wrap yourself in your favorite blanket.”

“So, how big is God?”

“As big as you need God to be.”

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Friday Morning Musing

Published by mhelbert on November 22, 2019

What matters whether transcendent or translucent?
Original Sin stains, sealing souls in black plastic wrap.
Light shrouded in gray folds of wayward hungering
Diffusing, obscuring from within and without.

“Not so fast!” a Voice whispers; intones; suggests
“The veil that shrouds the Heart has colored the understanding in colorless shades of shadow.
“Let the Light within dispel such childish notion!
“Arise to the morning and warmth that Truth, like Sunlight, radiates upon the Soul.”

I marvel at this.
What Truth?
Then, like the Dawn, understanding gently begins to illuminate.
All is held in thrall to darkness; decay; death.
This we mistake for Original Sin.
It is not.
Yet, the story doesn’t end there.

No.

This story continues from life to life.
From light to light.
From Love to Love.

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Mindfulness and Presence

Published by mhelbert on November 21, 2019

I wrote a couple pieces recently that touch on the idea of a person being Mindful or Present to the Spirit of God at various times.
I wrote about being Present in Prayer Here.
Celebrating the Liturgy with Intent Here.

Mindfulness, as I wrote, is nothing new. Nor, is it limited to any one faith or belief system. It’s a way of seeing and interacting with the world around us in a meaningful way. Too often we simply go through the motions of life without any recognition of the fact that we are actually Alive.
And, there are other living beings and a whole Cosmos around us is many times simply missed altogether.

It’s hard work opening our eyes, our minds, and our hearts to the world around us. It’s even harder to sit with that world and appreciate it for what it is At. That. Moment.
So, baby steps are necessary.

“What? Baby steps? I’m a grown adult human being! I don’t need no stinkin’ Baby steps!”

Well, yeah, you do.
So do we all.

I already mentioned a couple areas where we can begin to engage ourselves and practice Presence.
These are ways to take Baby steps.
Little by little we can learn to be Present to God in prayer and Liturgy.
Eventually, with time and practice, maybe we can actually find ourselves immersed in God’s Presence at these times.

Another way to learn to walk in Mindfulness is to pray formulated prayers.
The Daily Office is one such type of prayer.

I must mention here that I spent way too many years in a religious tradition that thought that the only Really Real Prayer was one that the Holy Spirit magically put in your mind at the very moment the prayer was offered.
This was, “Being Led By The Spirit.”
Any other kind of prayer was wooden or rote or the tradition of mere mortals.
That kind of prayer would never “work,” (whatever that means).

However, like I wrote concerning the Liturgy, written prayers were also composed with intent. They were produced under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
Just because something has been around for centuries doesn’t make it any less Spiritual.

That said, I was saying Morning Prayer today. Just as I have many, many times over the last decade or so. I read the Introduction and prayed the Confession. I offered the Venite with the antiphons. I prayed the Psalm and the canticles. I prayed through the readings, the Creed, the Our Father, and the other various Collects and prayers for today. I finished the Thanksgiving.

All of this has been part of the Church since the beginning.
All of these prayers and readings are designed to focus our hearts and minds on the Present Moment.
If we are Mindful and Present with the prayers and the Scriptures then we can, as today’s Collect says,
“hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them.”

Of course, we can simply read through them Office like any other text we encounter. Many people do. For them the written prayers are just something that needs to get done, something to check off of their ‘To Do’ list.

But, when these prayers are approached with Mindfulness and an intent to be Present, they can be life giving and transformative.

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What is Justice?

Published by mhelbert on November 20, 2019

If God is not a Cosmic Don Corleone like the Calvinists claim,

then, who is God…Really?

Is it possible that God could actually be the loving Being that so many believe?

If so, what does that do to some of our very favorite pet theologies?

You know, like Original Sin and Hell?

People seem to really like the idea of Hell. That’s HELL, as in an ‘Eternal Conscious Punishment’ kinda hell.

Why?

No, really…why would anyone who has an ounce of compassion wish that on anyone?

According to the folks who accept this idea, the answer is Justice.

Hell is necessary because of all of the Evil Evilness that is at the core of Humanity because of that thing called Original Sin.
Our ancient forebears, Adam and Eve, disobeyed God. So now, the entire Cosmos is steeped in that Original Sin.
Apparently, in order for things to be put back in order, then, the Cosmos, the Whole Shebang, must be destroyed and rebuilt. And, all of humanity must be cast into the Burning Trash Heap called Hell.

That is, except for a chosen few who follow a prescribed formula that will safeguard them from that particular doom.

So, we can’t have all of those evil people receiving any kind of respite or reward. That wouldn’t be fair. Plus, God is a Just God. So, God is compelled to punish evil people because, well, JUSTICE, Dammit!

For those of you who were not a part of this culture of Retributive Justice, what I’m sharing might sound strange. After all, doesn’t the Bible say something about God loving the whole Cosmos so much that God’s own Son gave himself up to death in order to save it?

Well, yeah it does.

But, what about Justice?
Is there a case to be made in support of some kind of payment due for those who follow an evil path in life?

WHAT ABOUT HITLER, DAMMIT?!

Ok. What about Hitler?
Or Stalin or Attila or Nero or Fill in Name of Favorite Villain_______.

Honestly?

I haven’t a clue.

Oh, and neither do you.

God’s justice falls in that space that’s way above our pay grade.
We don’t get to make that call.

Ever.

We don’t get to treat anyone as if they fall outside of God’s love and grace.

And, we certainly don’t get to decide who, if anyone, will find themselves in some kind of Hell.

Oh, that means that we don’t get to give people a choice.
Heaven or Hell?
Repeat this incantation and you will miraculously be granted the former and spared the latter.

No.

We are called, no, Commanded to Love.
Period.

Does that kind of love mean that we must warn people about some pending eternal doom?

No. Sorry, that’s not love.
That’s rendering a judgement.
Not our job.

“But, what if they reject our love?”

What if they do?
We love them anyway.

Anything beyond that can be construed as missing the mark.
Or, Sin.

Don’t miss the mark.

Choose to love.

Leave Justice to God.

Please.

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Fertile Field of the Mind

Published by mhelbert on November 19, 2019

Some days my mind just doesn’t want to work.
I look out across the landscape of my imagination and see swirling dust devils and hard, sun baked rocks reaching out of the ground like the dead fingers of some poor, undead soul reaching from the grave.
I wonder, “Where has the lush green forests where unseen woodland creatures dance and play?”

There is nothing.

Perhaps, somewhere beneath this parched surface there lies a seed; dormant; waiting.
If I should quest to find that River of Creativity that meanders through the Cosmos, could I maybe retrieve a cap full of that Blessed water to wet the uncracked germ that houses the glorious life within?
But, that river is like the Nexus from that Star Trek movie. It moves and wanders through the Cosmos seemingly at will. Where will it appear next?

If I may be able to find it, could I possibly dig a ditch to channel some of that Living Water to irrigate the fertile soil of my Mind?
Just a small bit to moisten the earth that forms the womb for the sleeping embryo of Creativity to germinate.

Then, root and shoot moving away. Action; Reaction garnering strength from the germ of life within the seed.
Root searching for moisture and nutrition. Shoot digging ever upward in search of the light and warmth of the Sun.
Leaf and bud forming to empower and create!

That is where Life is!

But, for now, I wait.

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“It” Revisited

Published by mhelbert on November 18, 2019

I finally finished reading Stephen King’s “It” for the second time over the weekend. It took way longer than I had intended. It supposed to be a Halloween thing.
Oh, well.

Like all of King’s books, this one is not great literature. He’ll be the first one to tell you that.
But, like most of King’s books, it’s a really great story.

There is a lot of gore in the story. But, that’s part of early King.
There is suspense and horror. Again, King’s early M.O.

And, I enjoyed the telling immensely. In fact, as I began the book I saw in my mind’s eye a group of people sitting around a campfire listening as King begins to tell his tale. All of the images of my youth as we sat at night trying to scare each other with whatever “ghost” story we had recently learned.

Remember the one about the escaped psychopathic murderer? Yeah, the one where the kids drove away with a hook dangling from the door of their car? (Click here.)

In rereading this story, I was cast back into the world of youth where you can find a hook hanging from the door. Or, where werewolves and walking mummies truly exist.
That land of Faerie where tales of gingerbread cottages and wolves that have big eyes that are better to see you with, my dear.

But, we’ve all grown out of that. Right?
In the “real world” monsters and faeries and old crones who cook little children don’t really exist.
There is no magic.
Only harsh reality exists for us.

And, that is the theme that I gleaned from this reading of “It.”

That world where the imagination can turn water in an aspirator into battery acid washes away as we “grow up” and “mature.”
Playing cards attached to our bicycles so that they click-clack on the spokes and turn the bike into a motorcycle are, in fact, only paper cards.

Yet, at the end of King’s story, all of the characters, now grown up, find that it is only in becoming like children could they overcome and finally destroy It.
It was the power of imagination and innocence, of memory and childlike friendship, that gave them the ability to see the evil as it was and overcome it once and for all.

I think that we loose that ability at our peril.

I think that when we become too old and ‘grown up’ to believe in the unbelievable part of our core humanity is lost.

I think we need to write and hear tales of Faerie that just might come true.

Because, there are monsters in this world that only child-like belief and faith can overcome.

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