Second Sunday of Lent, 2026.  

         I have one blog written. On reading it I was so surprised, the stark reality of what has been triggered, struck me hard. This is not to take away from the horrific events taking place in our nation. It is over whelming at first, second, third etc. glances. Another war has been started, joining the wars already raging. Raging within the communities where war is being raged against humanities most victimized, the powerless, disenfranchised, exploited and dehumanized. There is no end in sight for that war. The atrocities will continue, unabated, until, " justice for all", is not just a catch phrase but a transforming power, which will release a transformation  that cannot be imagined in the current atmosphere of dehumanization. Humanities newest war, has the "proposed" life of, "four to five weeks", that is quoting our president. This begs the question what is seen as, THE END ? How are we to understand, and become reconciled with all the uncertainty that entails? These questions join the numerous questions, we are  already begging to be answered. 

  These are the current questions that are facing us. Is that all of them? Of course not. This is the Season of Lent. The time set aside for us to bring to consciousness the underlying, personal inner and outer wars. Wars that have been there, and will continue to be active, some raging, until we begin constructive work on the solution. "We are, either in the problem, or in the solution", right ?  It has been proven to be, not that easy. There is NO, "easier and softer way" out. We like, Our Good Shepherd, are in the desert, where Satan will hound us with thoughts and questions whose sole intention is to disrupt, and hopefully destroy, our peace of mind, our sanity, and our serenity. 

    Satan is the legal name for, prosecuting attorney. How well he is named. Satan has found a home in our false self. Our true self is never, in any danger. Why? it is the chosen dwelling place of The Infinite Power of Creative Love. Its Presence is described by, Thomas Merton  as " a Sparkling Diamond which can never be touched by sin." The light can never be dimmed. We are powerless, with all other powers  to remove, destroy it. Sadly we do however,  have the power to deny, reject it's Presence. Our outward, and inner actions can and do reject this eternal gift. It was given to us in eternity and will accompany us as we consciously return to, The Eternal.  The Infinite Womb of love, has been our staring point, and to the same  womb we shall return to. This our eternal destiny.  As a result,We are  also a people destined for constant attacks. The attacks, which can at times both endless and discouraging. We providentially  have our Defense Attorney, our Advocate,  The Holy Spirit Who will be with us and within us, until the end of time. That is why we are encouraged, "Be not afraid, for I am with you, always, until the end of time." Yes !!! you can take that to the bank.

       What took place on The Mount of Transfigurement, was NOT to glorify The Historical Jesus, it was intended to strengthen the faith of four disciples and, all ofUS.  In The Transfiguration,  the human body , becomes The Transfigured Body, In doing so ,The Human Historical Jesus  revealed His true identity, and True Reality, the enfleshment of His Prodigal mercy-full  Father.  This Transfigured Body was destined for abuse, dehumanization, betrayal, crucifixion, and paschal death. There was no terminal death, it was paschal death. As those four were schooled, visually, as to depth reality, we too, are learning, through the eyes of  a lively faith, the deep reality of The Historical Body of the now, Christ. The Cosmic Christ as He truly lives and breathes  in a all that is, real. Apart from reality,He does not, nor cannot, exist. This is true of both the physical, and spiritual worlds. Sorry, sorry, that is not the truth. I have slipped back into, binary thinking. Right thinking leads to this truth,  there is only ONE reality. There is No division in The Eternal, in The Ineffable. We share the oneness. Question !!! how does  this truth challenge you way of seeing and believing ? Binary, or non binary ?

       As we read, reflect on The Transfiguration, and the following historical events  we are led to this reality, indisputable truth, " Death, is never the end". A great  deal of our security is attached to permanence. Nothing is permanent. Everything is evolving. Life needs death to evolve. We cannot find security in what was, only in That Which Is, in this present moment. (For me, I have it down to nanoseconds!!!!) For now, we bolstered by,"now is the acceptable time, now is the time of salvation." We are ever and always safe, in each and moment of the sacramental Embrace, in  The Hugs of our Prodigal Father. My, go to bromide, " I believe ,Lord help my disbelief, help my unbelief". " I believe, please  help  my disbelief", is my current bromide. The one I share the most, " Father help me to love me, the way you love me". My false self wants instant, relief.  Graced reality will lead us to awe-full embrace, of  acceptance, and powerlessness. ( This is the long process that in inherent in living)

   Fr. Rohr introduced me to the concept of " Order, disorder, and reorder". We are definitely in disorder. There is no security to be found in, disorder. Then we have to accept the challenge that  beneath all the disorder, THERE IS a new order awaiting to be revealed. I will be long dead before  this new inclusive just ordered life will become a reality. The answers lie deep within our collective unconscious. We must not only pray for the revelation of order,  endless work is essential. Unless we WORK for real justice there will be no peace , and just order will not be, restored.  This cosmic realignment will have its own prophetic voice.  To each person reading this effort, in your now  response to  the challenge of prophetic action, you are now laying the foundation, of what is to come. In this New Kingdom all peoples will be from  the possibility of crucifixion, and death. Free to enjoy a new world, " Coming in peace, coming in justice for all, coming in Love." Prophetic words from Mama Cass Elliott.  As a reminder, we are either working for the solution, or we are part of the existing  problem. I am shocked, scattered, so if this is beyond the regular challenge ?????  I have to embrace this old monastic saying,  " Pray, like everything is up to God. Work like everything is up to you." Well, until, the next time, I pray there will be, a next time this is a wobbly Great, great gramps.

 

Lent 2026, First Sunday.    " For we do not have a High Priest Who is unable to sympathize and understand our weaknesses and temptations, but One Who has been tempted, (knowing exactly how it feels to be human) in every respect as we are, yet without ( committing any) sin, Hebrews 4:15.

" No one needed to tell Him about human nature,

                                                  for He knew what was in each persons (human) heart. John 2 24;25

Have you seen those adorable videos on FB showing little ones receiving eye glasses, and hearing aids, for the very, first time ? The surprise, of being able to hear the voice of their mothers, and see her face, all for the first time, triggered unabashed surprise,  joy, excitement, and wonder. I never get tired of watching those videos. They trigger something deep inside of me, that I cannot ,express why you may well ask ? The English language do not have the words to covey the depth of feelings, that are triggered again, and again. Maybe it is the transformed faces of these children, rekindles the lost joy, wonder and excitement of my inner little, Joe ?

        Maybe you may ask the same question why you never tire of being gifted repeatedly , with that something, which looses its in-depth feelings, when words are used? How many photos try to capture that mother's, and father's  iconic gaze, yet they are just inanimate replicas of the real event. That felt, special "gaze" is sacramental. It reveals, upon, reflection, the eternal loving gaze, given, so our eyes can again see, and experience in time The Eternal  Loving Gaze. This Loving Gaze NEVER weakens in Its infiniteness, and unwavering commitment. NOTHING, and I mean Nothing can change that. No Pope, cardinal, bishop, minister, priest have the power to deny us that precious gift, UNLESS, we surrender to their uninformed rantings.

We need to get away from all that garbage, and journey again into the desert, where The Chosen People experienced the care, protection, and mercy-filled love, of a Power that never deserted them. The were never deserted, even when they rejected the life enhancing, faith filled guidance. The desert is a place of courtship, purification, and transformation. The silence of the desert, quells those noises, and voices that we allow to distract us, from The Voice forever calling out to us, our innate dignity as Beloved daughter/son. Being the beloved does not preserve, protect  us from the desert experience. We enter the desert again, and again.  This, IS, our collective lived experience.The Beloved was driven, by the Spirit just once. The result of that experienced drew Him, again and again back to deserted places for prayer. For communion with His, Abba Daddy. How gentle and enticing is that word, daddy?

        That is why we have Lent so we too can choose deserted places so we can be exposed to ,Daddy, calling us by name. We are told Daddy has a chosen, unique for all of us, beloved daughters/sons. I have to repeat those words, again and again, because we are constantly bombarded by lying voices. These inner and outer voices want to degrade, minimize, and ultimately destroy the unique relationship with ourselves, our fellow cosmic travelers, and ultimately with, The One Who first choose us to be the one to experience,  unconditioned, unlimited and unrestricted Passionate Love. Yes, your Lover is a passionate Lover. Lent is a journey into  ever deepening intimacy, with The One who choose us for eternal life. 

 As The Beloved had his belovedness questioned and tested in he desert. So we too, on our journeys through our deserts have our belovedness  tested, questioned, and by questioning, denied  n by the  self same Satan. Jesus was tempted to choose, power, possessions, and prestige,  to prove His Deepest reality, by The Father of The Lies, Satan.  As the beloved we do NOT have to prove anything, we just have to accept, the gift that accompanies our acceptance of, powerlessness. We cannot "earn, deserve, or qualify", for  mercy-filled Love. This Love, heals us, soothes us, comforts us, protects us, when we choose to be life givers, not death dealers. Acceptance of our deepest is ???

During this horrific 2026, we may do well to identify and reflect on the ongoing dehumanizing exploitations of the powerless,  by the combined forces who today are  addicted to, and as a consequence,  are in endless pursuit of  power, possessions, and prestige. Unless challenged, there is no ending to the horrors that can be visited on the victimized.

  In parting, a thought for your reflection, that hopefully will lead to sacrificial action. Our Brother, Our Good Shepherd, experienced the ministering of angels. Where do you see yourself, as angels, predestined to minister to, today's contemporary, Desert Dwellers ? These dwellers are in the desert of deprivation, prejudice, and the acute rejection of their innate dignity as, sacraments ? Yet they are rightly identified as, sacraments. Does your belief in your sacramentality trigger a response. Does that response demand sacrifice ? This will lead you to paths unknown. The path that will lead you to life in, ALL, of its fullness. Accept the temptation not to settle for less, but for your best. We do our best and, Passionate Abba,  does the rest. This is challenging, but we live in challenging times. Open you ears to hear the cry of the oppressed. In that practical response there is triggered something mysterious. Please, I beg you receive that which cannot be described here, but will of necessity trigger smiles. ENJOY.         Peace, joy and love, Great gramps.

      

                                                                            Lent 2025.

" Launch out into the deep" The Historical Rabbi Jesus.

 " The wilderness will lead you, to your hearth where I shall speak, integrity and justice. 

     " Long have I waited for your coming home to me, and living deeply our new life."

      Come Holy Spirit, heal, transform, transfigure this hardened, and  faith-less heart." (hij)

We are about to push away from the safety of the known, the comfort of certainty into the uncharted desert,  and sometimes, ocean of Lent.  Journeying alone, without serious help, guidance is way too much for  this  frail human heart. The Gracious Creative Spirit knows that.  So, thankfully we do not journey, alone. We are NEVER truly,  alone. How often do we challenge the veracity of that statement ?  So much of life, at least for me, was and is lived out in loneliness, rejection, abandonment and fear. We, unfortunately,  cannot expect kindness, tenderness, and existential acceptance, in this atmosphere of fear, exploitation, dehumanization, and unmitigated violence. When, and where will change happen? Each one of us is challenged to answer that question uniquely. The unique answers are then taken by The Creative Holy Spirit and woven into, as of now, unknown answer. The light of the answer will break through from the darkness of fear into the bright light of a new, and more vital and vivifying grace. We will certainly experience the fruits and be transformed by the power of The Resurrection. The carrot ?

          We are invited to enter the unique challenges of our Lent of, 2026, When was the last time we entered Lent with the challenge(s),  such as we have this year? Our Lenten journey is intended to challenge us to see in a very unique way, the changes in our understanding of  the meaning and power of The Paschal Mystery. It is The Mystery, all are Baptized into. We are being challenged to deepen our understanding of how that Sacramental Celebration, is vivifying our lives being lived out, the sacrament of The Eternal now. "NOW,  is the acceptable time, now is the time of salvation." In each unique now moment we are offered, no guaranteed,  ALL that we need, to live a life that is "happy, joyous and free". Where are you, presently, in your  belief in the existential  reality that promise ?

     How open how,  prepared are we to consciously accept, the unique grace, the  help we ache for, thirst for that, IS a living reality,  present mysteriously, in this present, moment? Each lived moment is a grace filled moment. In each unique moment The Power of Love is, operative. There are NO moments of life that Divine Power is not working in a unique way, so the uniqueness of our efforts will be in accordance with the evolving universal plan. What we are living out today, is the continuation of the life, which found its beginning in the began in the mists of eternity, and will return to The Original Womb, Infinite Love. 

     The question we are challenged to answer, are we ready for, the desert journey? I have been immersed in the Arizona Desert for 62 year plus. I have had to learn, as a part of my continuing education and formation, there is a Spiritual Reality, " perfectly hidden and perfectly  revealed." Like all sacramental realities we have to be immersed again and again, so that what we need to discover.  Each time we will  ask the question, " Why did I not see that before ? The answer is simple, we were ready for the gift. The garden of our soul must be prepared properly so as to receive,  The Seed. Once received it must be nourished, and cared for. Eternal vigilance is need, so that the combination of weeds, and thorn bushes do not choke off the intended growth and harvest.

  Each one of us has unique weeds, and choking thorn bushes. We are blessed with the gift of seven weeks, to take stock of our garden. Are there the familiar weeds, or have a whole new variety invaded the garden and brought disruption and unease to our spiritual wellbeing ? This Lent we are challenged with unique challenges. We are challenged to be led deeper into the essential meaning of, terminal death, and Paschal Death. We are  being exposed, daily, to the reality of death manifesting itself in so many ways,  at at so many levels, it will be impossible to discover all  its hideousness,  archived away in so many  of these different levels. 

 We are called to join The Good Shepherd in the desert. The Historical Jesus, was DRIVEN into the desert. We are offered an invitation, to join Him in the desert journey of,  2026.  In the desert there are no roads or signposts. The steps, even though you do not know where you are going, is the right path, trail for you. The spiritual writes inform us, " if we know the path we are on, we are on the wrong path." It is my path,  not my participation in the unknown path, that leads to, The Unknown.  The Right Way !!

 Every Lent for as far back as I can remember, The Lenten journey was a journey into what can be learned from , G. A. R. B. A. G. E. That equates to Guilt, Anger, Resentment, Anxiety, Greed, and Envy. I reluctantly said no, to the familiar, and comfortable and so you are burdened with this effort. I have already strayed from the intended path. What you are reading is ??????

 

         

                                                                             

" Through the eyes of a living faith, and ,Not,  through blindness of prejudice, will encounter The Holy, in 

                                                                   THE LOWLY" Anonymous. 

  " Life is a cosmic dance. It is as if every particle in nature is reaching to enjoy other particles, and 

                                                                      engaging in a beautiful dance." Anonymous.

" Come, Creative Spirit, transfigure, and transform this,  hardened and faithless one."(hij)

   "Transfiguration authenticates the value and dignity of the human person, and all of creation"

I am told there are no isolated particles, in nature. All are connected, intermingled. Not one is hanging out, in left field, all by itself. Nature does not allow, tolerate isolation, disconnectedness. We, as visitors to the cosmos are intermingled with all the other visitors, and receive life from the" intermingledness " of all the permanent residents. The seen and the unseen. All reality, is one cosmic reality. We can say, all is Christ, and Christ is in all. There are no isolated cells in our body. We are oneness, we are a whole, in this we all are holy. We are all The Living Body of Christ where Mystery is encountered. Not just for the act of encounter, but for the required sharing ,that is,  inherently demanded, by The One encountered. 

 St.Paul, " The gifts and talents we have been given are NOT for ourselves but, for the building up of, the common good" That precludes selfishness, and, kingdom building.  Any gift  talent and ability that is not used for the building good of all, will result in life that only knows only compulsivity, addiction, and destruction.. This does not contribute to the common good, but leads to a life, existing exclusively in isolation, addiction, and death We are witnesses to this horrific reality.  How destructive kingdom building is? We are all affected by  inhumanity. Those poor and powerless are our sisters and brothers.

 They are not the just the faces of The Suffering Christ, THEY ARE, THEY ARE the living Body of  the contemporary, suffering,  Christ. We are in need of the lenses of faith This reality cannot be couched in spiritual superficiality or a binary, rigorous  religiosity. These satisfy, temporarily, the false self, and allow  fear and complacency to rule. We need the lenses that were given to us on The Mount of Transfiguration. The disciples are privileged to see The Divine Nature break through, and transfigure The Historical Jesus.Since then that " transfiguration, authenticates the value and dignity of the human person, and all of creation."

       As we adjust and sharpen our understand of our personal reality of Transfigurement within each one of us, will we empowered, by grace, to see the reality of the transfigured Christ, in the migrant, alien, poor, the dispossessed, the homeless, the LGBTQ plus. Allow the power of your essential belief and understanding of Transfiguration lead to an ever deepening belief  resulting in,  meaningful action. These times demand a radical change in understanding leading a new vision. The embrace, the radical actions of the  nonbinary is essential in  the present battlefield for the soul and future of America, and by extension, the cosmos ( Where do you  see as the area of your responsibility ?  Your chosen, thoughtful response is ???? ) 

We are chosen caretakers of the cosmos as it is. Are we ready to won, accept the extinction taking place in all of creation?  A creation we are called to defend, protect and nourish. It is unfortunately obvious the powers that rule, and direct laws have chosen to be blind, and have abrogated the defenses that have been put in place. The answer to this horrific tragedy lies within your, power, RIGHT ??? So what does the future hold, for you as steward of all creation? What are the little steps you will take, so that together,  there will be one giant step taken for  the defense and protection of  humanity and its home?

  There will be a struggle. In The Beatitudes, what do you see, and embrace as the words of encouragement necessary for you, so as to meet the challenges, that are personal and universal ? In the plans for creation nothing happens without the cooperation of the human? On going metanoia, is essential for each one of us. no exceptions. No one is exempt. We are challenged to, awaken to be woke ?  So the existential challenges are responded to. Now rest on your laurels ? Not a chance !!! You will be challenged to, reawaken. The re-awakenings  vivifies our souls, and because of cosmic connections, all creation is affected. The Cosmic Christ will find a place of welcome, and cooperation. "As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be." Do I hear an, AMEN. A heartfelt one ?? A little unsure but willing? We become what we desire ???

     " We are forgetting the epic story, we are, tuned for."Martin Shaw.

 " Be extravagant and protracted and real in your grief.... This is a time outside of time,

                                   and extraordinary things can happen."  Martin Shaw.

  "Come, Holy Spirit, transfigure and transform this hardened, and faithless heart, of Your beloved" 

" You cannot be, pro life,  and approve the inhuman treatment , of,  immigrants." Pope Leo.

   Us Irish, are a people, emerging from the  mists of, time and eternity.. We are a lyrical people, writers of myth, and mystery. Always leaving the reader, to wonder, in their  continued wanderings,  into what has been left unsaid , just intimated.( If you have the privilege of catching a Jessie Buckley interview  you will be in a reverential awe of the lyrical and poetic way she uses, the English language. Pure poetry !!! )What mythical, and mysterious, lands are we destined to venture into ?  When we are faced with the realities of life, the periphery will not contain the answer, and the truths essential for a healthy spiritual journey. The knowledge and understanding necessary, does not come from what is seen but from what is unseen. 

      The journey, hidden in the mystery of life journey is your real journey. Life is container, the channel which  The Unknown,The Ineffable has chosen to be the place of revelation. Each channel is unique. There cannot be two, of the same. The Gracious Creative Spirit does not do ,spin-offs. There are no duplicates. Why ? May I suggest, there is so much to say, so much to be revealed, each incarnation is the manifestation , of what which is not yet said.  The revelation is embedded in the depths. Unless we respond to The Historical Jesus, "to launch out into the deep" there will be  no the fish, essential for our nourishment, and encouragement . The dark depths are foreboding. They have no attraction, except for some brave souls. Yet, we must face the fact, that the epic story we are tuned to broadcast, originates not on the, seen, surface, but is awaiting for our courageous leap, into The Unknown. 

 We have been blasted into the excruciating pain, into the witnessing  of continuous persecution, suffering, and  unexplainable murder.  Our encounters, confrontation with death, ALWAYS leaves us radically changed. There never has been a celebration of The Anointing Of The Sick, especially on a death bed, that does not leave something intangible, but so very real. One never becomes immune to the depth of feelings that spring uncontrollable, from? ( From your own life's story, what is the REAL truth, that is breaking into your consciousness, now !! HONESTY is tough, but progressive)  )I wonder how many on seeing children ripped from their necessary routines, to be incarcerated with trauma that will effect every aspect of it's  life's journey. Who will pay for the rehabilitation of the tens of thousands of individuals and families, as they face their daly encounter with crucifixion, and resulting physical and emotional challenges ? 

  " Be extravagant, and protracted and real in your grief". The Christ in His body, yes is suffering again, as His Body is beaten, bruised, and betrayed here in These United States Of America. These are not pre-civilization times. We are supposed to be civilized ? I guess "supposed" is the operative word. The power collective unconscious of America is weakened. The source of real help, is now seemingly helpless. WE, that is WE, are not collectively helpless. Those brave souls in Minneapolis are braving extreme freezing conditions to voice their disapproval of the atrocities perpetrated on their neighbors. Notice when they speak they refer to, "their neighbors", they do Not use the word immigrant. I wonder where that truth originated? Do You ? When yo are challenged to face your metaphorical Minneapolis, be assured that source of help, health and strength is,  ACTUALLY WAITING within you, for you.? Where does it lie ? Openness to its proddings ????

  The protracted Golgotha will of necessity challenge your essential beliefs. As I have written previously, " today's challenging, life orientated questions CANNOT be answered with yesterdays answers." The answers cannot be found in the  unenlightened, thought process of, MAGA. There must be metanoia, a complete turning around from where we are going,  so as to encounter the challenging depths of, Gospel Values. Your personal  Social Gospel  tenants, are ? 

  The depths are calling you. Mystery, is beckoning to you.  Those voices, singing "Hold On, Hold on my dear ones here comes the door.". We all need new lenses to recognize that depth of meaning being expressed here. Are we the door, opening up and dazzling those oppressed, with the light of HOPE. ALL THAT IS NEEDED FOR HEALTHY CHANGE, both personal and communal Is.....

    " Here I am, Lord, I have come to do your will." Psalm 40.

   "We do NOT need magic to transform our world. We all carry all the we need'

                                                                 INSIDE ourselves already." J..K. Rowling 

 " The Body of Christ grows through the process of our awakening, to, the Divine Life" Keating.

" Come Holy Spirit and strengthen the weak,  restless fear-fill heart,  of this Your,  servant."(hij)

" The light of Christmas is an explosion of insight changing our whole idea of God. OUR CHILDISH WAYS OF THINKING OF GOD, ARE LEFT BEHIND.....our inmost being opens to a new consciousness the, The Babe,  has brought into the world". " The Mystery of Christ." Keating.

    An attitude of gratitude is essential for a healthy spiritual life. I must take this opportunity to say, "Thank You", to al of you who take the time to read this effort, when offered. Part of me, the false selfish self, wants to some week" SCREW UP "so badly, there will be a serious migration of readers. Then I will not have to face the deep challenge of a gradual awakening, and reawakening. I find I have become aware of a new, and often challenging, insight. Parts of me wants nothing to do with a journey into,  the unknown. I want that cozy chair, and all that complacency brings to satisfy the false self. That false self, sure offers, great challenges. By sharing my thoughts with you, I face my, fears. The result of this encounter with fear, security, and complacency, is coming right at you ??

     We are now aware of this old quote, " The questions of today, CANNOT , be answered with yesterday's answers". Today's mind boggling question and challenges, must be met and answered with new and always vivifying,  challenging answers. As Fr.Keating has written, "The Body of Christ grows through the process of our awakening" to what ? Being led into awakening is our choice of course. To day's existential challenges can lead to feelings of deep fear. What is the common wisdom of the ages, " Face your fears ." I read somewhere, " as one faces one fears, one grows into, intimacy." Intimacy, the often unspoken,  unwritten, wish, desire of,  ?????. 

   How easy, and comfortable it is to be an ostrich, with our head buried in the sand. How threatening it is to venture in the unfathomed depths of today's questions. Now, knowing that you have been chosen, from eternity, to be part of the cohorts who will explore the depths, of themselves and the collective unconscious. This journey into the unfathomed ocean of ,The Divine's nothingness , will shatter old concepts, and old comfortable answers. The cosy fireside, versus, the barren desert of searching ????

  We are challenged to, grow. To surrender again, and again,  to a journey. This journey can be ONLY TAKEN, one step at a time. We will live, not just ,exist, in the sacrament of the eternal now. No, other, way, of traversing these now challenging terrains , except by surrender and, gradual acceptance. The gradual awakening to the reality as I live, love, grow, so does the Body of Christ. A byproduct of all your constructive, and vivifying actions the strength, the wisdom of collective unconscious, is enhanced. People you do not know, are being affected by your awakening. Your individual efforts have a collective consequence. For now, and for eons,  to come. What is insignificant, WRONG, there is nothing that is insignificant. Wow !!! That stops me, so I bow to you to finish............. 

   Changing the diaper of your Christ Child, cleaning the toilets, cooking meals, driving to work, celebrating the sacramentality of your love, etc. etc. are all contributing factors to the growth of The Body of Christ. This Mystical Body of Christ, challenges us, to go ever deeper, and surrender to the awakenings, that lead you to become more aware of  The  Mystical Presence. By our seeking, searching, surrendering, and acceptance you continue, this  mystical journey. You are being lead, into the darkness of faith, into " new heavens, and a new earth". 

 HOMEWORK !!!!! now that you have read the above,  get a pieces of paper and a pen. NO TYPING !!! Now write out the  obstacles, road blocks, your false self is creating, so you do not believe the extent of your, belovedness ?  You have been chosen, uniquely gifted, and "in the fullnest of time", here you are. Can you really believe all that is being written about you, OH !! Body of Christ. Now place that list in a place that is convenient, so you are able to return, and return. In the returning  what challenges have been met ? Then the existential challenges are faced, with a deepening faith. This is how honesty, and intimacy, grows. Be prepared for, an awakening!!!  Be prepared for re-awakenings. that reveals the depths within. Take the advise of The Historical Jesus, " launch out into the deep".  Face these fears with your  Spirit driven, inherent strength. "We will never be tested beyond our strength", so St. Paul writes. I have to remind The Gracious, Mercy-full Creator I am not as strong as She/He thinks I am. So, BACK OFF. To have a healthy spirituality, a person must have a Divinity, one can fight with.  

  

    Are you ready? Are you really ready, to face all the challenges, that lay before us. Challenges that demand a solution. The solution lies with in each person that The Creative Spirit choose to have existence at this point in time. Each person alive right is now, is not just an accident of birth. Each person, ST. Paul reminds us  " each person is in the place The Creator intended her/him to be." While we are at it, we might as well draw to mind another of Paul quotes," The gifts and abilities we are given, are, NOT, for ourselves but the building up of, the common good". The "common good' is not a priority for those who wild power in our towns, cities and beyond. Power is being misused, and the powerless, are being abused ,exploited, marginalized , denigrated,  their existence as fellow human being is ignored,  denied, and their rights cancelled. How those who are powerless, like The Historical Jesus on The Cross, how are their struggles experienced in your depths ? The response to the seen crucifixions, will be so tempered by our response to our own encounters with The Crucified One. As we minister to The Internal Crucified one, will we have the compassion to reach out,  and compassionately respond to those who will be placed on 'their way."

    These modern  day crucifixions, are being executed in plain sight. Golgotha, and The Contemporary Christs, is now available, in living color, and running commentary, on our social media screens. It is presented in living color, to highlight the atrocities. Where are the screams of protest, joining the screams of the victims, who are, in their deepest reality, our sisters, and brothers? Justice and morality, two words, but where are they uttered in today's, convulsing society. We are challenged to dig beneath the sufferings, of those who suffer, and face a reality that is, at present so ignored. For how long" ?? 

  We have been chosen, to be constructive members of, The Mystical Body of Christ,  the totality, of  the living family of,  humankind. Inclusivity in action is demanded.  The old  binary way of seeing and reacting has been consigned to the garbage pit.  The coziness of empathy, has to be replaced with acts of real compassionate action. We must again see, and respond with the Good Samaritans, on our streets and alley ways . The apophatic season, just celebrated has demanded  our  individual and collective actions. The action is not a merely, suggested, the social teaching of the gospels, DEMANDS a conversion. 

    A conversion, leading us  to actively, courageously  meet  the demands stemming from our individual and communal action. Actions, that will confront the lies, the misuse of power,  used to punish, persecute the most vulnerable, The Christ Child, and The Christic Presence. Please reread those last few words again. Allow them to sink into your depths. In the depths, an encounter will take place. Encounters, always, lead to a new way of  being, and seeing.  Lives of complacency and indifference can no longer be ours. We have been chosen to be the contemporary, Simon of Cyrene and the compassionate Veronica. 

      "Every blessing is, a curse, and every curse, is a,  blessing." We,  will we see the change in the collective consciousness, that is certain to emerge, from  these many encounters with death. Death never wins. Stored within the collective unconscious already are sewn the seeds of a new, vibrant Spring. I will not get to see and experience this resurrection. It will come. The Irish suffered for 800 years. Their abiding beliefs, and actual practice of those beliefs got them through. The essential core of the church and, America is, not powerless. Under the prophetic leadership of Pope Leo the church is exercising its required leadership, and the acts against humanity, are not going unchallenged. 

       The Holy Spirit has been the guide through many past experiences, and She is not going to abrogate Her  contemporary, responsibilities. The Spirit ,does not act, ALONE. The Spirit, does not act alone.  The Spirit has foreseen the contemporary challenges. Guess where the answers, solutions lie ? Within the collective, unconscious.  The solutions, are already in place, and working ?  Mrs.  Mary Ellen Hennessy, "The mills of god, grind very slow, but they do grind very true ."  This is her son signing off.

   

 The  Liturgical guide lines, announces conclusion of the  contemporary, "Advent-Christmas-Epiphany" annual, adventure, yet, not an ending, but, the beginnings. The beginnings of what,  of a  deeper spiritual immersion, into , The Mystery Of The Incarnation.  Our Immersion  into The Mystery Mystery, challenges us to get into action. To be a people, who see the  challenge,  and make the choice actively respond. Not just by reflection and prayer, but by an active participation in meaning-full responses to one of the most pressing challenges we are being faced with. One of the great complaints we hear is, " Why is it you pray a lot to Jesus, yet you do , NOT,  actively follow His example, requests, and teachings". Such is, a valid criticism of those who profess one thing, but are living out a life, that is so contradictory to the authentic, social teachings, of the Gospels. For those, who choose the path of indifference, lukewarmness, read Revelations 3: 15 and 16.

     Indifference, is one of the, great sins, of  the society we have been placed in. Take time to reflect, meditate, but, please, not for  long. Do not hide away in, the comfort of complacency , while today's Christ Child, Cosmic Christ, suffers in a way that is so, unacceptable to the point of being reprehensible. How can the obvious complacency, and criminal neglect, be justified ? The withholding, and denial of resources, both spiritual and material are headlines every place we look, yet the deprivations continue, with no hope of any immediate solution. The Christ Child was denied a comfortable, and hygienic place to be born. His life was immediately threatened, He and His family became immigrants. Immigrants in a strange country. There is a connection, between the two, The Christ Child of Bethlehem, and The Christ Child Who is starved, hunted,  deported when found.  To day's Christ Child is being deprived of so much. He is the victim of,  deprivation and neglect. We can hide behind many smokescreens, but this essential truth must to be faced, each child, IS, The Christ Child.  They are not two, they are a single presence, they are, ONE. Belief in that oneness, and Oneness,

 Our non binary thinking welcomes that, ONENESS. What  personal, and cosmic challenge ,do you see as inherent  in this way of seeing, ? Now for  the challenge !!!!! I cannot attempt to delineate  the chosen challenge you have been  uniquely gifted, for. Out of your encounter with silence, emptiness, and nothingness you will be led.  Let it bubble, up from within your, depths. It will. 

   That is why your presence has been planned. How personal your creation has been. You have been outfitted for the challenges of these moments.  Most are not called to be heroic, but all of us, cannot play the safe card of, indifference and disconnectedness, All we can do is our best, and The Creative Spirit, will do the rest.  We must face this challenging truth,The,Creative Spirit, is not codependent. Anything that we can do, will not be done for, us. Paul," The gifts , talents, and abilities we have been given, ARE NOT FOR OURSELVES, but for the building up, of, the common good," By the call, inherent in your birthing, we must be proactive. Read Matthew 25, if there is a desire to become complacent, dis-engaged.

               The Living Crib, which has chosen your depths to be it's dwelling place, will continue to offer you inspiration, and as a consequence, challenges. This is The Truth you have been called to, incarnate.  feed, nourish, house, and defend. It is not about the birthing of The Christ Child, we have no choice but to make sure He has all that he needs , to have life and have it to the fullest. You are our contemporary,  Mary. Yes !!! we rely on your "Yes",  to continue the sacred birthing, that makes The Mystery of The Incarnation a continuing reality. Non binary vision, presents us with  a oneness, in all of humanity. This echos Paul when he sees no Jew or Gentile, free person or slave. All are one, in The Body. Today that Christic Presence, is, us. Us, we, women and men alike, are called to give birth to the contemporary Christ. We are The Parents, called to protect, and defend, The Christ Child being born into these rather challenging, and for sometimes  terrifying conditions.. Today's Herods are seeking out, and searching for, The Christ,  in the most inhumane way possible. You have read the many documented accounts. They are a eye witness account of today's,  active , living Golgotha. As a result we do not have to go to The Stations of The Cross, in a church or places of prayer to have visuals of  a living, essential, Calvary. There are layers of meaning, to found and confronted. The Incarnation, lives, and cries out to you and I. The concrete results.......

     

 

   

 The continuation of The Advent - Christmas - Epiphany Season's celebration 2025-2026.

    " The Lord, bless you and keep you ! The Lord let His face shine upon you ! 

                                                                                                             and be gracious to you.

         The Lord look upon you kindly, and GIVE YOU PEACE." Book of Numbers.

 " God sent The Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out ,"Abba, Father ! " Galations

" Come, O Holy Spirit, and transform the fear-filled, and hardened heart, of this faithless one."(hij)

" The Shepherds, went in haste..to Mary and Joseph...they made known the message that had been told them about This Child...and Mary kept al these things reflecting on them in her heart." Luke's Gospel.

The  lights will be soon turned off.  The Light in your depths, cannot be turned off. We do not have the switch, the ability to turn off, The Sparkling Diamonds Light. At the same time The Sparkling Light has not been given, to be stored up, to be hidden away, in some darkened closet, like a prized possession. This Gift if so treated, IS LOST. It is, ONLY, in giving it away, do we know what has been bestowed upon us.  (Is this, The Pearl, of great price. A Pearl so valuable, all other things must be let go of ?)  Paul reminds us,  in his letter to the Corinthians, " What has been given is NOT for ourselves, but for the building up of the common good" We have been, CHOSEN, to live in this particular time, planted in this particular place/space, to share The Light, that has been planted, as a living inheritance. This is, eternal. This is a Light, no darkness can overwhelm. OH !!! how our cosmos aches for This Light. We are in a constant vigil, for that which is already an essential, Presence. Let the waiting cease.  (What, where, is the action ?

      Mary entered a cave that was silent, empty,  filled up with nothingness. In that place of hospitality for animals, He, whom the cosmos cannot contain, becomes enfleshed in the silent darkened womb of the virgin. Each year we are offered the gift of being drawn ever deeper into The  Eternal Mystery  of The Incarnation.  The One, Who has eternal existed, Who been the source of existence, for everything that is,  is now among us. This gives new meaning to, Emmanuel ? ( Where will this take you ??)  Why this, constant repetition into, what seems, at a casual glance, to be such a simple story. Always, be ever on guard of anything that appears, simple. The longer you gaze intently at it, the less you will realize you will know about it. This, supernatural mystery, is no different. We must ever bring to consciousness, there is no division, in anything to do with, The Divine. I Am, is ever, Now.

     I can tell you this Advent-Christmas-Epiphany- Season is one that is so new, it boggles the mind. Out of the darkness of the cave, the darkness of the night, the darkness of The Womb, He by whom the cosmos was created, now enters our deepest reality. The One that is beyond everything, has joyfully come, to become enfleshed, in our humanity.  He too is now, " a spiritual Being, immersed in the human condition". The Prince of Peace is in, His, tabernacle. From there He is reaching out to His Abba, and our Abba. Our efforts at relationship at times fail, and fail miserably. The eternal relationship between Abba, and Son is always. So when we are helpless, and hopeless, in our nothingness, there is a birthing that takes place. A new and a more vivifying, vibrant ? the cannot be captured with finite words. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be. Do I hear an, AMEN

        In our nothingness, emptiness, and silence we are blessed, and blessed beyond measure. The All Power-full has taken pity on us, especially, in our lowliness, just like Mary. Just as in Mary, The Christ Child is newly given to all. No exceptions. So what vivifying, life enhancing meaning has those words found in you every moment reality ? What does it mean to encounter in the ,ever new, eternal now, The Christ Child that our world is waiting  for ? This Christ Child is to be born, within the womb, of your soul. The whole, world, universe,  and cosmos, is waiting for, " Not my, will, but Your will, be, done". The essential, Yes, for The Cosmic Christ Child to be born, ever new. Birthing is pain-full, mercy-full grace is also, ever present. This Mercy-full Power, incarnated in The Child, will be, the source of healing, a soothing agent, a comforting presence, a source of all necessary strength, all leading to transfigurement and transformation.

This is what awaits each beloved in this New Year. Let us all pray for the courage to meet our eternal destiny, in each eternal now. May 2026 be a guided journey, for  each of you. A mysterious journey, not guided by the false self, but by, your inspired answer  true , to the promptings of, the true self. The true self guided by the same Spirit that empowered Mary. So why are we delaying?  With love, great gramps.