The Bishop Writes

(From the Dec. 7, 2000 edition of the Inland Register)

The Jubilee Year will soon draw to a close. Advent of the new millennium is upon us, and we have much for which to be grateful.

This past liturgical year has been very special during this second millennial celebration of the birth of Jesus. The designation in our diocese of a jubilee church for each month has provided the opportunity for reflection and gratitude. The Jubilee Icon of the Trinity has made its way to all of the churches in the diocese and now is permanently placed in the Holy Cross Mausoleum in Spokane. Individually, churches have sponsored special projects of liturgical art and commemoration that will inspire parishioners for generations to come.

The Pentecost celebration at the Spokane arena was a joyful event. Many parishes sponsored special programs, including pilgrimages. Almost 100 people from the diocese attended World Youth Day in Rome in mid-August. All in all, the jubilee year experience was rich, and we hope, its spirit will continue in our hearts and in Church life.

The Advent season begins our new liturgical year as we prepare for the celebration of the birth of the Savior. There is always something about this season that most people anticipate with some degree of eagerness. Advent is a special time of preparation, of beginning the Church’s liturgical year afresh. As we do so, I would to suggest five themes for centering our thoughts, for being on the spiritual journey.

Be Eucharistic. The celebration of the Eucharist is the center of our Christian life, of our Church’s life. Through Eucharist we come to the table of the Lord. We are given life. We are fed with the Body and Blood of Jesus. The Word reminds and challenges us. We come into contact with one another in the assembly as the body of Christ. The faithful gather Sunday after Sunday to be reminded of the presence of God in their lives and to keep in mind that the life of suffering, death, and resurrection was the way of Jesus. The Eucharist calls us to be a Eucharistic people in example and lifestyle. Jesus loves and came to redeem all of humanity. Every person in this world is a precious expression of God’s creation. Intimacy with Jesus in Eucharist should urge us to express this love for all.

Be prayerful. God’s blessings touch us countless ways. The presence of God is made manifest sometimes in a very clear manner, or that presence may be somewhat hidden and obscure. In either case, the task of every follower of Jesus is to be a mystic who constantly is searching out, recognizing, and appreciating the intimacy of God with him or her. Ultimately, relationship is everything for us. Our relationship with God is nourished and deepened through a prayerful spirit. Fortunately, in the tradition of our Church there is a diverse, rich treasure of prayerful spirituality in which people with diverse temperaments and gifts can find God.

Be servant. Jesus reminds us that the Son of Man has come not to be served but to serve. After the Last Supper, he takes a bowl with water and washes the feet of the apostles. Then his command was: “As I have done, so you must do.”

There are countless ways for us to be servants in the Church and in society. Each person has at least some gifts, and certainly all have opportunities. Many are very generous with their time and their talents. This area of good stewardship of who we are has great potential to help the Church become more alive and help us share more credibly the presence of a loving and caring Jesus in our world.

Be joyful. Jesus in his discourse with the apostles after the Last Supper speaks about a disciple’s love. Then he continues: “All of this I tell you that my joy may be yours and your joy may be complete.” Cardinal Martini SJ of Milan uses the expression, “Joy is the mother of communication.” We can’t imagine the joy of God, but Jesus wants us to have it. There is something wonderfully transparent, effective, and contagious when we live the spirit of joy.

Be hopeful. The virtue of hope helps us to address the temptation to control God. One can get easily caught up in personal expectations or in expectations concerning others’ lives. All of us know how difficult it is to let go. As St. Paul says in his letter to the Romans, “Hope is not hope if its object is seen: how it is possible for one to hope for what he sees?” God is ultimately in control of our lives. Our hope is in Divine Providence, not in what we think should happen and in what we have figured out. Hope is an important quality for our spiritual journey and the appreciation of and the living out of this virtue can give strong witness as well.

So the challenge is ours as we begin Advent. May we support one another during these weeks before Christmas that these qualities might become more integrated into our daily living.

May God bless you and give you peace.

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