This is not a peace sign

A bloody end to another peace-less year. The perennial tension in Israel-Palestine has broken into violence once again. Here, Palestinian protestors flash victory signs and chant anti-Israeli slogans. Both sides are launching missiles and young men, both Israeli and Palestinian, are seen on the streets throwing rocks at police forces. Please keep the people of Gaza in your prayers, along with the aid workers, world politicians and UN officials, that they may work diligently to find a common path to peace.

Advent

God, in God's wisdom, has gifted me with living in St. Louis. I love this city and treasure it as my chosen home. While at college, the Arch always welcomed me home and certainly stirred my heart whenever I neared it--almost there! Finally, I've put down roots and can claim the city as my own. The city holds many of the things I love--people, places, food! And a most permanently vital feature: I also have the pleasure of crossing the Mississippi River twice a day (or more), a feat that still amazes me. This is a river with a history and meaning that run deeper than its waters. Today, I welcomed a stupendous sight. The cold weather has caught up with the mighty river and there were ice floes among the barges this morning. Photographer Bob captured this photo and was kind enough to let me show you. This is my (frozen, frosty) city, no less beautiful in the dead of winter than it is in full spring bloom.

As Advent draws to a close and we make our final preparations to welcome the Light into the world, let us embrace the gray twilight and take stock of our blessings. They are present, even in shadow. The light is on the horizon! Come, Emmanuel.

A Prayer

One of the Christmas activities our Youth Min staff oversees is a Peace Prayer Tree. Children are invited to write a prayer for peace in the world. It's not unusual to get indecipherable scribbles or prayers like "Jesus, I would give you a football." Here's a gem. In case you can't read it:

Our

father hoo

wort in heven

I will be my

name my

kingdom

kom I

My favorite is "I will be my name." I like to pretend that this kid is familiar with Moses and the burning bush.

Merry Christmas!

Hey, we have a meeting Tuesday!

Most of the time, they're not too bad. But sometimes, they result in...puppet shows about angels with broken wings.

Good news, Bad news

The good news is that the priests I work with are great guys, willing to help out in whatever capacity necessary for ministry. Even if it means dressing up as an a) beauty pageant winner to hand out goofy awards to teenagers or b) a Roman centurion for the Holy Week Stations of the Cross presentation.

The bad news is that, due to a total lack of modesty or body-consciousness in the above situations, I've seen two priests in their boxers.

Please note that this does not constitute a scandal. Praise God for willing, if sometimes clueless, servants of the Church.

Inspirational Poster

As we prepare for Holy Week, please enjoy this inspirational image.

Jesus and the Church

So, while we were preparing for marriage, Ryan and I talked a lot about the sacrament, about the vocation of our marriage. It helped me to think that our love for each other would be like Christ's love for the Church. We wanted the best for each other, we wanted to show each other love and respect, even when things got difficult. So, when I get crabby, I try to think: if I am to love Ryan like I love Christ, maybe I can make that extra step and not complain, do something nice for him, be a little kinder and gentler.

This line of thinking hasn't really set well Ryan. I tried explaining this once, and he kinda gave me a look like he was creeped out. Granted, pretending your partner, your spouse, your *ahem* lover, is like the Lord...well, it's a little hard to digest, even if you have read and enjoyed St. Teresa of Avila, and St. John of the Cross (which he has not).

Of course, today I am more convinced that Ryan is right. Today was an Annoying Husband day. Some days, admittedly, it's half (or more) Cranky Wife day, but today was probably all Ryan. But that's not the point. The day consisted of me administering eardrops (for a near-fatal ear-ache, to hear him tell it), four phone calls at work regarding the ear-ache and its probable causes and consequences (virus, wax build-up, tumor), then coming home to do laundry and look at the dishes that are *still* in the sink after a week, and the others that are *still* next to his side of the bed after...two weeks?

So I was reminding myself that loving Ryan should be as unconditional and selfless as Christ loves me, and I should respond to the love I've been given with gratitude, and lovingkindness. So I thought, as I gathered dishes, "If Jesus left a couple beer bottles on my coffee table, I would totally pick 'em up, and be glad that he came for visit. I'd be glad for the company, the conversation, the relaxing." Then I thought, as I dug some old socks out from under the couch, "Wait...Jesus would NOT leave dirty socks on my floor for me to pick up. And I think if I left dirty socks on Jesus's floor, he might get that righteous anger thing and teach me a lesson about respect and responsibility, a la the merchants in the temple!" Ryan is right: sometimes marriage is somewhat less than the ideal of Jesus' love for the Church.

So I say: Crap on his pile of dishes. And if he fails, again, to put his dirty clothes in the hamper, I will fail to wash them, for as long as it takes. What would Jesus do? I think he'd have my back.

All in a day's work

Anne Marie, a "co-worker in the vineyard," as my Church likes to put it, frequently starts posts with: "You know you're a youth minister when..." In that vein, you know you're a youth minister when...you receive, from another youth minister, illustrated instructions on how to make a mitre out of newspaper. Courtesy of MarthaStewart.com, no less.

That makes my day.