Lincoln’s Log 12-26-10

“The obedience of Christ in the daily routine of his hidden life was already inaugurating his work of restoring what the disobedience of Adam had destroyed.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church #531)

This Sunday we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family. This feast always occurs on the Sunday within the Octave (eight days of celebration) of Christmas. It is an integral part of our Christmas celebration of the Incarnation. The Feast of the Holy Family shows that holiness does not have to be something dramatic. Most often, holiness is hidden. It is hidden in the day to day acts of obedience and love that make up family life.

Family life is one key place where God takes on flesh... where Incarnation happens. We just celebrated Jesus' birth into the world. This was dramatic as all births are. It changed things. It made a visible difference in the world. Angels singing, shepherds running, the glory of the Lord appearing. “Glory to God in the highest.!”

Today's feast has a different tone. Instead of “Glory to God in the highest,” it's more like “Hey, stop hitting your brother.” It is not about drama, but about simplicity. It is not about the once in a lifetime birth experience, but the day to day grind of life. It is not about the intense attachments and emotions between a mother and her newborn baby, but about the ongoing growth of listening and obeying.

It is not only the dramatic events that make for holiness. God is as present in the day to day routines of life as he is at the times of radical awakening and conversion.

Today's feast reminds us of the importance of living each day seeing God made manifest in every opportunity for love and obedience.

Peace,

Lincoln

Lincoln’s Log 12-19-10

“Ask for a sing from the Lord, your God; let it be deep as the netherworld, or high as the sky! But Ahaz answered, “I will not ask! I will not tempt the Lord!” (Is.7:10-11)

“Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.... When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.” (Mt. 1:18)

The scripture readings this weekend put a stark contrast before us. Ahaz, the King of Israel, is told by God to ask for a sign. “Just ask,” God says, “and I will answer.” But Ahaz, due to false humility, refuses to answer. Ahaz has the choice of relying on the Assyrians or on God. Ahaz has more trust in the Assyrian armies than in the God who promises a sign. He refuses to even ask God for help because he has his own plans already. Trusting God is not a part of those plans.

In spite of this, God promises the sign of the Messiah who shall be called “Emmanuel.”

Joseph responds very differently. Joseph is given a remarkable dream that informs him that the child in Mary's womb has been conceived “through the Holy Spirit.” Like Ahaz, Joseph is choos to trust in God or in his own plan “to divorce her quietly.” However, Joseph chooses to rely on the incredible message of the dream. Because of Joseph's faith, he comes to know Jesus. He allows the child who is God to be born into his family, despite his plans and that makes all the difference in his life.

We face the same choice that Ahaz and Joseph faced. Will we trust in God or in our own plans?

Peace,

Lincoln

Lincoln’s Log 12-12-10

Last weekend we heard of John's dramatic preaching and call to repentance. He was the striking figure crying out in the desert, “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.” John was an expert at pointing out what stood in the way of the coming of the Kingdom. He could uncover sin with clarity and precision. His preaching exposed anything that stood in the way of the coming Kingdom and demanded that it be acknowledged and repented. The whole region was going out to hear his call to conversion.

Now we come to this weekend's Gospel. Things have changed. Time has passed. The story has moved on. John is no longer in the desert. He is in jail precisely for pointing out the sin of Herod, the ruler. The crowds are gone. John is alone and in prison. Doubt starts to come to his mind. We can imagine him thinking to himself, “What if I was wrong? What if Jesus is not the one to usher in God's Kingdom? What if I am suffering in prison for nothing?”

So John sends some of his disciples to Jesus to ask him who he is. Is Jesus really the one?

Jesus answers by pointing out what is happening in his ministry. “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them.” The Kingdom is indeed coming. In fact, it is already here in Jesus' ministry. Others are already living a taste of the Kingdom.

Whether we are experiencing the joy of the Kingdom, or the prison of doubt, we need one another this Advent season. Even John the Baptizer needed others to help him wake up to the Kingdom.

Peace,

Lincoln

Lincoln’s Log 12-5-10

“Do not presume to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I tell you, God can raise up children to Abraham from these stones.”

It is easy to get trapped in the roles we play. We often identify ourselves with our jobs, families, relationships, religion, income, state in life, etc... This Advent Gospel reminds us that we are much more than any role we have. We are not our jobs or our families. We are much more.

John the Baptist points out that the roles we play mean nothing to God. In fact, these roles can get in the way. God does not love me because of what I do or because of any of the roles I've taken on. “God can raise up children to Abraham from these stones.” These roles are simply the stones that we are called to leave behind when we discover who God is calling us to be. They often become stumbling blocks that need to be cleared out as we prepare the way of the Lord.

Advent is a time for listening to the call of God inviting us beyond the stones that have accumulated over the year. It is a time to reexamine our priorities and see what we have allowed to define us as less that the beloved child of God that we are. Advent repentance is an invitation to prepare the way of the Lord and let go of all that stands in the way of God's kingdom. “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”

Peace,

Lincoln

Lincoln's Log

Lo, the day is coming, blazing like an oven, when all the proud and all evildoers will be stubble, and the day that is coming will set them on fire, leaving them neither root nor branch, says the Lord of hosts.  But for you who fear my name, there will arise the sun of justice with its healing rays.

Mal. 3: 19-20a

During the month of November, our minds naturally turn to thoughts of harvest and of death.  The days are very short.  Light is scarce.  Darkness seems to be closing in all around.  Leaves lie on the ground, raked in piles, or burned.   The last of the fall harvest is being brought in.  Hunting season is here as animals are harvested for food.  We are preparing.  We know that the long, cold winter is not far off, whether we are ready or not.  The year is ending.  The year is dying.  It is harvest time.

This is also the time when the church puts before us readings of judgment.  We know that at the end of our lives we will be harvested.  At the end of time, all of creation will be harvested.  The fruits will be gathered together like a pile of leaves.  Much of the fruit is rotten and will be reduced to stubble, as our reading from Malachi promises.  But we also know that through the death of Jesus, we will rise to new life.  The sun of justice will arise.  Healing will come.  God's promise will be fulfilled and it is not a promise only of woe, but a promise of new life and resurrection.

As the cold of winter death approaches.  Let's keep our eyes fixed on the sun of justice with its healing rays.  The fire of judgment leads to the light of justice.  Christ's light has conquered the darkness.

Peace,

Lincoln

Lincoln’s Log 10-24-10

"Now you are the body of Christ and

individually members of it." (1 Cor, 12-27)

The past few weeks, I shared in the joy of the members of the Body of Christ here at St. Rose and St. Mary's who responded to our Stewardship Process. Sacrifices like these have made it possible to further Jesus Christ's Mission at St. Rose and St. Mary's.

Thank you to everyone who made or renewed their Stewardship Commitment this last weekend.  You should be receiving a letter or phone call within the next two weeks about the ministry you signed up for.  If you don't hear anything by Friday, October 29 please call the parish office.

If you have not yet returned your card, please return one ASAP.  Cards can be found in church or at the parish office (140 Auto St., Clintonville) and returned in the collection basket or to the parish office.  I sincerely believe that a prayerful response will enrich your faith daily. In addition, your response will demonstrate your commitment to our parish community.

God Bless you!

Peace,

Lincoln

Lincoln's Log 10-17-10

Thank you to everyone who made or renewed their Stewardship Commitment this last weekend.  If you have not turned in your card yet, please drop it by the parish office ASAP.  You should be receiving a letter or phone call within the next two weeks about the ministry you signed up for.  If you don't hear anything by Tuesday, October 22 please call the parish office.

Attention Men!

Have you ever wondered if the church has anything to say to men as men?  Here are some upcoming opportunities specifically for Catholic men who wish to grow in their faith.

• Come to the first ever webcast at St. Rose/St. Mary’s!  Fr. Richard Rohr will be talking with men from around the globe about what it means to be a Christian man in the world today.  On Sunday, October 24, we will gather at 12:30pm in the St. Rose parish meeting room (the webcast begins at 1pm) and spend some time discussing Fr. Richard’s insights after the webcast.  You can find more information about the webcast at:  http://www.cacradicalgrace.org/conferences/webcast/2010-series/end-of-men/  We should be done by 2:30pm.  Don’t worry, the Packers don’t play until 7pm so there will be plenty of time for pre-game festivities after the webcast.  Maybe we could even conclude the gathering with a prayer for the Packers!
• The Norbertine Center for Spirituality at St. Norbert’s Abbey in De Pere is hosting a Morning of Spiritual Renewal for Men on Saturday, October 30 from 8am-1pm.  Cost is $30 and includes beverages, rolls, lunch and attendance at any of the sessions.  During this morning of spirituality, outstanding speakers will be offering workshops to help men get in touch with their faith and what God asks of them.  For more information call Lincoln at 715-823-3416 or the Norbertine Center #920-337-4315.  Act fast, registrations are due by October 22.  You can also register online at:  http://www.norbertines.org/day_of_renewal.html
• Stay tuned for more details about my Advent book discussion on “On the Threshold of Transformation:  Meditations for Men” by Fr. Richard Rohr.