A Few Words

Weekly Bulletin of the Catholic Community at the Family Foundation School

(Pauca Verba (a few words)

Number 6 – January 3, 2010

Father Yakinf lived for many years on the island of Saint John the Baptist near the famous Russian Monastery of Valaam. Many of the letters he wrote to people still exist. In one letter he writes:

“The Paterikon (the sayings of the desert fathers) tells how a disciple said to a monk that he knows of a man who sees angels. The monk answered: This is not surprising, that he sees angels, but I would marvel more at a person who saw his own sins. Brief as this saying of the monk is, its spiritual meaning is very deep because nothing is so difficult as to know oneself.”

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In the New Year, want to start a REAL spiritual life? Read a chapter (just one) of the Holy Gospels each day or a little of the Epistles (letters) of Saint Paul. Be systematic.

Here is something for us: Saint Paul says to the Philippians, (Chapter 3, verse 13) “Forget what lies behind and strain forward to what lies ahead.” We spend too much time on our past…telling it all in nasty detail. Are we reliving it each time? Tasting it? Empowering ourselves? Instead, Saint Paul says we ought to forget it. Of course we need to remember where we’ve come from to keep us humble before God – but not so it still claims us. Instead, pay attention to the new life that lies ahead – strain forward after it.

Furthermore, Saint Paul writes in the Letter to the Ephesians (5:15) “…subordinate yourselves to one another out of reverence for Christ.” Shocking for Americans! Subordinate means put myself under other people! The deepest questions are not those of rights and power – “Am I getting my fair share around here?” “Do I get the obedience and respect I’m entitled to in this place? BUT RATHER: How can love be expanded and increased in this place? How can we defer to one another for love?

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The magi presented their gifts. And the first gift, so notable in our casino-world where we hope the money literally pours out of the winning machine onto our feet as the bells and whistles announce “You’re the winner” – is GOLD. But gold is also symbolic. It signifies all of our solid accomplishments: my trophies, my awards, diplomas, recognitions, ah – all the titles: anchor, dorm leader, buddy, sponsor, crew leader, dean, senior- floor, principal, executive everything, “in charge.” These are our solid gold. And if we take the gospel seriously, they are all to be unwrapped and opened and presented to the Lord Jesus – in his service. Yikes!

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Wexford Carol

Good people all, this Christmas time

consider well and bear in mind,

what our good God

for us has done,

in sending his beloved Son.

With Mary holy

we should pray

to God with love this Christmas day.

In Bethlehem upon that morn

there was a blessed Messiah born.

Near Bethlehem did shepherds keep

their flocks of lambs and feeding sheep

to whom God’s angels did appear

which put the shepherds in great fear

“Prepare and go,”

the angel said,

“to Bethlehem, be not afraid.

For there you’ll find this happy morn

a princely babe,

sweet Jesus born.”

With thankful heart, and joyful mind

the shepherds went this babe to find

and as God’s angel

had foretold

they did a Savior Christ behold.

Within a manger

he was laid,

and by his side the Virgin Maid

attending on the Lord of Life

who came on earth to wound all strife/

Good people all, this Christmas time

consider well and bear in mind

what our good God

for us has done

in sending his beloved Son

with Mary holy

we should pray

to God with love this Christmas day.

In Bethlehem upon that morn

there was a blessed Messiah born.