Monday, December 29, 2008

Farewell

Dear Friends,

I wanted to share the news with you that I left my parish assignment and Illinois on December 12. Because of the circumstances and many last minute arrangements, it just wasn't possible to give you any notice before this.

I was offered a very exciting opportunity to take my ministry in a direction that I'm passionate about. I'll be writing and evangelizing in a publishing firm based in Louisville, Kentucky. I moved down two weeks ago and have been working hard to get settled before I begin my new appointment on January 5.

This move was my own decision, not the Bishop's. In fact, he urged me to stay put. But I feel very strongly that this is something that I am called to do -- so I ask your prayers and blessings as I begin this new adventure in the Lord's service.

Since I won't be functioning as a parish priest, I won't be able to continue to send homilies on a regular basis as in the past. Thank you for your continued support of my ministry.

I send my blessings for a Joyous Christmas season and a happy, healthy, holy New Year.

Father Jeff

Sunday, December 07, 2008

Relaxing Your Jaw

Jaw

The Second Sunday of Advent
Today’s Readings: [Click here]

Over the past few weeks, I’ve run into three different people who’ve told me that they’re dealing with TMJ—that very painful medical condition that affects the jaw and teeth. I imagine it’s exhausting and stressful to be in constant pain there.

Ironically, I came across a magazine column that contained a bunch of one- or two-line snippets of oddball facts on all kinds of different subjects. One of these little factoids concerned the jaw. It read: “Those who claim to know all about stress say that you can’t be keyed up if you relax your jaw.”

I didn’t know that, but it seems to make sense.

Over the years, I’ve dealt with lots of people with stressed-out jaws. I’m sure I don’t have to tell you the heavy burdens and problems that folks carry around. There are health issues, money issues, relationship issues, problems with children, problems with parents, legal issues… and I think one of the biggest categories is simply psychological problems—people who are depressed or emotionally raw, whatever the reason. Life is hard. It’s very stressful. Sometimes heartbreaking.

So, some magazine columnist points out that you can’t be stressed if your jaw is relaxed. I wondered if there might be a spiritual counterpart to that little datum.

I started to turn it over in my mind: you can’t be at peace if you are: worried sick about something… jealous of what other people have got that you don’t… angry and looking for payback… scared… trapped in sin or addiction… caught up in an abusive situation… All of these things set our “spiritual jaw” very tight and tense.

How do you go about fixing that problem?

In the gospel today, the opening lines from St. Mark, we meet John the Baptist out at the River Jordan. Look at him! Dressed in some itchy garment woven out of camel’s hair, cinched up with a leather belt. John isn’t a fashion plate by our standards or even by the standards of his own time.

And his food! No pizza delivery for him. He fed on locusts and wild honey.

These details about his clothing and food are interesting because they show that John didn’t really care very much about how he looked or what he ate. His focus was on his mission.

He’s kind of like an absent-minded professor who goes around with mismatched outfits and eyeglasses with duct tape wrapped around the bridge, because that stuff doesn’t matter to him. He’s interested only in his work. Everything else he lets take care of itself.

Can you picture yourself living like that at all? Well, you should!

When I moved to the state of Maine in the mid-1970’s, I came from Washington, D.C. I was a lawyer who wore fancy shoes and elegant wool suits. I remember visiting the home of some friends who had dogs— fuzzy dogs—fuzzy dogs with long, white hair—fuzzy dogs with long, white hair that shed. Every time I sat down I would be forever picking off hairs and brushing myself off. Finally, Joan—who later became my godmother—said to me, “You know, Jeffrey, you’re going to have to choose between your fancy suits and just enjoying your life.” I happily dumped the Brooks Brothers clothing. I liked playing with the dogs better. You might say that my jaw started to relax. And look at me today! I dress in black and live next door with Maggie—a big fuzzy dog with long black and white fur that sheds like crazy. So please forgive me if you see hairs on me!

We are blessed in the Church to be in the midst of the sacred season of Advent. It’s easy to get jammed up with the pressures of Christmas—shopping that has to be done, papers or exams that have to be written, deadlines at work that have to be met, bonuses that may or may not come in these uncertain economic times, spouses who may or may not be sober, a loved one who may or may not live through the holidays, bills that are coming due but we may or may not have the money to pay…

Wow. Some spiritual time.

What would John the Baptist do? He’d preach repentance and baptize.

Focused.

Do you want peace? Then you have to focus, too.

Advent, our wise Church promises us, is a time of joyful expectation and hopefulness. Jesus, the long-awaited Messiah is coming into the world to usher in a kingdom of profound peace. The wolf and the lamb will lie down together.

How do you tap into that peace—right now? Focus.

Trust in Jesus and his promises. Believe him when he says that he is watching over you and won’t let you fall into the pit. Give him your troubles and let him worry about them. You stay focused. Pray. How much should you pray? A lot more than you’re doing now. There’s a whole spiritual arsenal out there that can help you relax your jaw if you’re willing to step out in faith.

Perhaps—just perhaps—this is the voice of one crying out in the desert.

Would you have been one of the ones who stopped to be baptized by John… or would you have kept on walking?

Dear children in the Lord, you’ve got to make the same decision today. Amen.