Advent: What are YOU doing? Guest Post by Deacon Chip Jones

What Are You Doing?

Where did the year go?  It seems like it was just January!  But here we are, at the first Sunday of Advent!    

Advent is a season of the year in which the Church is “waiting”. Not waiting in lines in stores (though we will); not waiting on orders from Amazon.com; not waiting on the next sale.  Advent is a time of waiting…for Christ!

And I think it’s interesting that the culture’s focus goes, so early, to all the warm-and-fuzzy Christmas images, of the baby Jesus (if they can stand Him), and snowmen, reindeer and candy canes.  It’s interesting, because as Church, we spend the first half of Advent focused on the second coming of Christ, which is not going to be a warm-and-fuzzy event at all.  And the themes are a little…cautionary, to say the least.  “Keep watch! The Son of Man will show up like a thief in the night!  Don’t get caught sleeping!”  The first half of Advent is all about being prepared for the Last Judgment, not soft and cuddly stuff!

And being prepared for Christ’s return should be the focus of every Christian life.  But how we are waiting…and what we are doing while we are waiting…that’s far more important than just “watching and waiting”.

Isaiah describes, in today’s first reading, a people who have “wandered” from God’s ways.  And the prophet prays that God will return, and that God “might meet us doing right!”  Isaiah describes Israel in extreme terms: you are angry, and we are sinful; all of us have become like unclean people, all our good deeds are like polluted rags”.  He is describing a people that has turned its back on God, and yet Isaiah still acknowledges that God can help them get back on track! 

The Gospel isn’t any more comforting; it’s short and sweet, but still kind of threatening:  Be watchful! Be alert!  Don’t let me come back and find you sleeping!  Watch!

But see…these aren’t happy, feel-good readings; we can be tempted put a big “Doesn’t apply to me!” stamp on it, and stop listening.  Or we can hear them and say “Yep, Got it!”, check the box, and still stop listening.

It really isn’t the stuff of touchy-feely Christmas Cheer.

But there is more to these readings than scary words.  Look back to the parable Jesus used in this Gospel:  “It is like a man traveling abroad.  He leaves home and places his servants in charge, each with his own work, and orders the gatekeeper to be on the watch.”  Brothers and sisters…the master left His servants with work to do.  And what did Isaiah pray?  “Would that you might meet us doing right, that we were mindful of you in our ways!  

A few of us might be total reprobates, the worst of the worst; if you are, and you’re here…Thanks be to God! There’s hope for you! But honestly, most of us aren’t evil people. We are just making our way through the world the best we can, with gifts we have, trying to do right. 

But Jesus isn’t talking just to the best of us.  Isaiah isn’t talking about just the worst of us.  They’re both talking to all of us.

What do I mean?  Well...if we are traipsing along in life, making it to Mass, but not much more, thinking that the sin in our lives isn’t really that bad...we are wrong!  Likewise…if we are sitting in the church every day, praying, reading the Bible, and figuring everything is OK, but doing nothing more…we are wrong, too!  God needs more than that out of us!

I know…it’s Advent, Christmas is coming…and I am bringing everyone down!  Besides, what do I expect?  I mean, if you’re coming to Mass, isn’t that a good thing? (Yes!)  If your kids are involved in Youth Ministry, or Religious Ed…isn’t that a good thing? (Yes!)  And if you’re spending time in Adoration, or praying the Rosary, or the Divine Mercy Chaplet, or reading the Bible…isn’t that good? (Yes!)

But brothers and sisters…God has armed us to do even more!  And He did that because the work He left for us to do wasn’t about doing our own thing, or even about saving our own soul.  It was about doing things, using our talents, to bring forth fruit for the Kingdom!  And how do we do that? We do it by working wherever God calls us to, according to our state in life, to lead other people to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ!

So, you come to Mass?  Invite your neighbor! You’re involved in a Bible study?  Ask about helping to start one for the young adults or the youth! Your kids are in Youth Ministry?  Suggest they invite a friend (even a non-Catholic one)!

Do you know any Hispanic members of your parish family?  Meet some!  Or spend time with the folks you already know!  Join the Knights of Columbus; work with St. Vincent de Paul.  Buy a devotional for your family, and commit to praying from it, as a family, every week, or even every day!  But whatever you do…do something, intentionally, to advance the Kingdom!  Because, brothers and sisters…we are called to work for the kingdom, not just “watch!”

The culture wants us to focus on the things that make us feel good: snowmen, and candy canes, manger scenes and Christmas trees.  And all those things are nice, in their place.

But as we enter this season of Advent, there is so much more that God is calling us to think about.  

When we remember that Christ is coming back, and that it means something that He’s coming back, it ought to make us look closely at our lives, to see how we are living, and to change what we can do be prepared for His return.  And we ought to be watchful. We need to be ready.

But we also need to be working.  And thanks be to God that He has equipped us for the work we need to do!  As Paul said in the second reading, we are all equipped with “the grace of God bestowed on [us] in Christ Jesus, … with all discourse and all knowledge, … so that [we] are not lacking in any spiritual gift as [we] wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

We already have the toolkit we need to work for the Kingdom. We have already received the grace we need to do what we have been called to do!

Watching is good.  But working while we watch...That’s what we’re called to do.

So…what are you doing?

A Love Letter

Haven't blogged much lately, but I have been doing a lot of reflecting..

As you all know from my previous blog post, "If I Should Die Before I Wake", Brittany Maynard's tragic story of being afraid of dying to cancer and instead choosing to take her own life was really, really devastating to me. One thing that did strike me, the silver lining in a hopeless situation, is that she made a point to say goodbye to her loved ones, as some people on their death bed have the blessing to do. It's a shame she took her life and I don't ever wish that upon anyone - I don't believe it is "dying with dignity" I believe it is dying with fear of the future. People all over die with dignity despite the physical suffering, emotional torment, dependency on others, suddenness... because being loved gives them that dignity. Whether their lives are taken by illness, abuse, old age, wreck, abortion, or no explicable reason... love gives us dignity in life and in death.

This isn't the original intention of this post, though. I started to think about what I want my kids and husband to hear from me, should I not have the opportunity to have a "final countdown" so to speak... should I die unexpectedly. I know this seems morbid, but in my mind, it is beautiful because I truly try to live an intentional life. I do my best to love and serve, though imperfectly, often laced with insecurity, impatience, sin, and selfishness. For example, just today... I had to apologize to my kids for losing my temper, taking toys away and basically telling them they couldn't have fun ever again! It was literally just one thing after another, but I know that's no excuse.

I especially reflect on my mortality and love of family when we are separated. I am flying to El Paso for an event this weekend, and I will miss them terribly, but they know that "Mommy goes to tell people that Jesus loves them." And they want to grow up to do that too. It would be so amazing to me if they did. Every time I travel, I really consciously have to surrender my family and my own future.

But what I would say to them is this...


My Beautiful Children, My Holy Husband,

If you should ever learn anything from me, I pray that it is that you know and believe that God loves you so much. Sometimes I look at you each, so different, and I am so full of love for you that I could burst. I see how you love each other and I know in those moments I am experiencing Christ Himself.

Just love.

When you do something wrong, and I am upset at first, I am moved to forgive you not just because you are sorry, but because I love you so much. In these moments, I imagine how God has mercy on me, in the same way.

Be merciful.

I hope that you saw me have a welcoming heart and welcoming home. I hope you saw me treat others with respect and kindness and generosity and when I didn't, I hope you saw me apologize and ask forgiveness. I hope you saw me forgive others. I hope I was a good example of "doing unto others..." I mainly just hope you saw me start over day after day, because that's really what being holy takes. Sometimes we fall so we can get back up again.

Don't ever give up.

My boys... I pray especially for your virtue of chastity and honoring women. I pray that you know what it takes to be a man. You are a defender and protector. Your dad is my true love because he puts Christ first and would do anything to protect me from not just physical harm, but spiritual harm as well. I was his first kiss, and that was a priceless gift to me. Be a holy man of God, because that is the most deeply desired quality in a woman's heart. Be a holy man of God, because you will make your mama so, so proud. I never stop praying for you, ever.

My daughter or daughters, should I be blessed to have another :) You are beautiful. Always listen when your dad tells you that you are beautiful because he loves you and wants the best for you. Let him be the man that you hold all other men up to. He is the standard, don't let anyone love you less. though it would be pretty hard for anyone to love you more. Pray everyday. Your holiness makes you beautiful. It makes you loving and kind and forgiving and hopeful. Sure, don't neglect your appearance, but know that when you have the light of Christ in you, that is the most attractive quality in the world. I never stop praying for you, ever.

My holy husband, David. I know that I have a long ways to go in the area of good wife and mother. I know you have suffered greatly through my lack of culinary expertise. But I want you to know that I'm your biggest fan. I believe in you and I love you. When you pray every morning, you remind me to not neglect my relationship with the Lord in the midst of our crazy lives. You are the one that brings our family close to the Lord and I am so happy that you will teach our boys to be men of God and show our daughter, or daughterS someday, what to look for in a man. I know that no matter what, we will always meet in the Eucharist.

I love you.

I love you Damien, Lucia, Elias. I love you, David.

I hope I tell you that everyday. You are the best gifts I've ever received. I can't believe sometimes, that I have the privilege to be your wife, your mother.

God must really, really love me.

Love, Mommy/Noelle

You Did Not Choose Me, No I Chose You - GUEST POST JOHN ANGOTTI

This week, I invited my friend, John Angotti, whom I have known for over fifteen years, to share his adoption story. John is a Catholic recording artist, speaker, and music missionary. He uses music to share the Gospel to people of all ages, nationally and internationally. He was instrumental in my own ministry, mentoring me, and helping me to grow in my own talents and confidence. I am blessed to call him friend over the years, and so very thankful that he was willing to share his story on this blog. 

This is National Adoption Month. Many of you know I have three adopted siblings. I rarely think of them as adopted, because we grew up very close and love each other deeply and have been through a lot together. At the same time, I don't know what it is like to be adopted, nor do I realize the pain of realizing that someone didn't want, couldn't care for, or was forced to give their child up. I don't know the wonders of what could have been or what should have been. 

But an adoption is a beautiful gift and witness of our faith because it is to be chosen. To be loved as not an obligation or simply familial tie, but as a free will choice. Yes, there are crummy adoption stories (and crummy non-adoption stories), but the point is that choosing to love is at the crux of our faith and what it means to be Christian. 

"You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you, that you might go and bear fruit-- fruit that will last-- and so that whatever you ask in My Name, My Father will give you." -- John 15:16

Thank you, again, John for this message. 




ADOPTION IS THE OPTION – the story of an adopted child.

This story begins a long time ago in a small town called Lost Creek, West Virginia.  A young beautiful petite 16-year-old girl, who lived on a farm, fell for a handsome athletic 17-year boy who had lost his mother at an early age and lived basically in poverty with his father and brother.  The young girl ended up getting pregnant but tried to hide it from her father.  It would have been a disgrace to the family.  She continued to work on the farm but wear large clothes to hide her pregnancy.  She confided in her sister and some family and friends.  Then one hot day in August as she was helping on the farm, her water broke and the reality of her situation was made known to her father who was furious.  This was an embarrassment for him and the family so they rushed her off to a neighboring town to have the baby.  Nestled up on the mountain top in Phillipi, West Virginia was Alderson-Broadus Hospital where she gave birth to a baby boy.  It was a difficult delivery with a lot of blood and pain but both her and the baby survived.  A day or so later after she recovered, she silently went to the nursery, said goodbye to the life she had just brought into the world, and her life went on.  The baby didn’t have a name so the nurses named him Joseph.

Joseph was then put with an adoption agency and within a month he was placed in a family that had already had adopted two other children and even a couple years after they adopted him, they adopted another.  This family was a Catholic family of Italian decent where the mother was a musician.  As Joseph grew up he always knew he was adopted.  His parents always let the children know that they were chosen.  But he struggled.  He always felt he didn’t fit in.  His cousins all had dark hair and dark skin and they all looked alike.  His older brother had medical problems and his older sister was needy and required more attention than he.  So Joseph spent a lot of time alone.   He grew up being mandated to take piano lessons.  He hated those piano lessons, but his mother insisted.  She made sure the routine of practice occurred daily.  Going to church was something else that wasn’t an option for the family.  Faith was important to the parents.  The father grew up during the depression.  His family came from Italy for a better life but struggled through this era holding on to each other and God.  The mother was also a product of parents who came from Italy for a better life as they struggled.  The work ethic and Italian family values and traditions of the parents were instilled in Joseph.  He may not have had all Italian blood in him but he had the Italian heart.  

Joseph’s parents were very strict.  He wasn’t allowed to do a lot of things his friends were allowed to do, so while he was attending Catholic High School, he visited the Preparatory Seminary where he felt called for a couple of reasons.  One was that he felt free there.  Another one was that the living conditions seemed attractive. There was an indoor pool; sports that he loved; the mall was close; it seemed like he would have more fun and escape the rigid life at home.  But mainly it was the music at the Mass that pulled on his heart.  It was a calling that he couldn’t define but felt it.  So off he went to spend his last three years of high school.  His parents were so proud that he was in the seminary to discern priesthood.  But inside he felt freed and that he belonged.  

Because of those mandated piano lessons, Joseph excelled musically.  He became the lead musician of the all male choir and planned all the music for the school masses that occurred daily.  Music was a big deal at the high school seminary.  The choir toured every year and between his junior and senior year, the choir master, Father Magary, decided to record a cassette.  Joseph was the lead cantor on the recording at 16.  

Joseph went onto the college seminary for a year, met a girl, struggled with his grades and ended up at West Virginia University.  He graduated with a degree in marketing and finally couldn’t ignore the music that continued to call him from within.  He went on to musical school and was the lead singer in the US Navy Band.  He always felt something missing in his life and was always drawn to church not on his own but because his adopted mother would encourage him to go and participate with his musical gifts.

After his Naval journey and working in the business world, playing in bars and rock bands, and struggling through relationships he met Tracy.  They got married and the road was rocky from the beginning.  After a difficult time Joseph began to realize that something was wrong with him.  He didn’t want to live anymore and had thoughts of ending it all.  But he sought help to figure out what was going on inside of him.

Through counseling, tears, facing fears, and lots of prayer, Joseph found out that he suffered from something called “separation anxiety.”  Separation anxiety is what many adopted children have if they don’t feel loved enough from the adopted parents.  The wound of being left by the natural mother is so deep it is unconscious in the individual but shows itself through difficulties in relationships or even trusting that someone could love them.  The fear of being hurt is so deep that anytime someone gets close, they run the other way.  

Joseph actually had met his birth mother before he entered the Navy because of his longing to know who he was.  They developed a friendship but Joseph became aware that he was in a much better place with his adopted parents.  He called his birth mother after his marriage difficulty to ask her why she gave him up for adoption.   She told him with tears in her eyes, that she had every intention of keeping him.  That she had an option and she chose life for him even though it made her life hard for a little while.  But that day when she went to see him in the nursery, she said she looked at him and loved him so much that she knew she could never give him the life he deserved, so she allowed him to be adopted by another.

That’s when it all began to click.  Even though the wound remains, he began to see how God was present through all of it and he could now deal with his issues in a positive manner.  His life progressed and he wrote songs and gave his witness to many of how it was the love of God that saved him since birth.  He has been able to help many people with their faith journey by bringing the reality of God presence to all of us through word and song.  His story and music reveal how God has worked throughout history through the work of human hands: through our ancestors, through Mary, through Jesus, through his birth mother, adopted parents, and through his wife and family.  Therefore, all because a 16 year old choose life the baby who was named Joseph at birth by the nurses became John Angotti who now shares his adoption story with the world so that all will know that through Christ, with Christ and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all glory and honor belongs to God, forever and ever. Amen.