Yesterday at H&H we gathered for a day of prayer and reflection using the Advent-Christmas narrative, in particular the journey of Mary and Joseph, to guide us in our ponderings and dialogue. Our five “stations” of reflection were: Sitting in the Darkness, The Annunciation, The Journey, No Room in the Inn, and Birthing. Each point on the journey offered a metaphor for our own lives. We took time for prayerful pondering before the full celebration of the Incarnation on Christmas day so that we might more fully, consciously, and actively participate in the mystery of our own lives which find meaning, illumination, hope, and life in the Incarnation of love. I thought of the day as “Presence Before Presents.”

Here is a little reminder by way of Anthony DeMello, especially during this season of wonderment, to be present.

Where shall I look for enlightenment?
       Here.
When will it happen?
       It is happening right now.
Then why don’t I experience it?
       Because you do not look.
What should I look for?
       Nothing. Just look.
At what?
       Anything your eyes alight upon.
Must I look in a special kind of way?
       No. The ordinary way will do.
But don’t I always look the ordinary way?
       No.
Why ever not?
       Because to look you must be here.

Pax,
Dan