Things that tie us to earth

Early in November, our group here at St. Martin's talked about Benedict's chapter on private ownership.  We are merely passing through.  Sr. Chittister writes, "On our journey to heaven, things tie us to the earth."  We watch TV shows about hoarders; even in early November, we become bombarded with fliers and mail to buy and buy more for Christmas. As we build our homes and communities, we also begin to accumulate more and more, and these things demand our time and attention and care.  We urged one another to clean out or throw out or donate something, to untie and unburden ourselves of something that ties us down or wastes our time and energy.  As the readings of November focused on the end times and our church calender ends its year, we prepare for the coming of Advent; we prepare the way of our Lord. 

This conversation has extended through a discussion on the need for silence, the use of bells to call the Benedictines to prayer. If the things of this earth and the material excess tie us down, we asked ourselves what reminds us to lift our eyes to heaven.  We challenged ourselves to create daily reminders to stop in silence or prayer.  We challenged ourselves to keep our eyes on heaven.  Suggestions: computer or phone reminders to stop; post-its on the morning mirror; the car's engine as you warm up the car on these cold mornings.

So this week, as we enter the season of Advent -- the stores leaflets and fliers multiply and rampant dialogues about Black Friday and Cyber Monday fill the airwaves.  We spoke of the work.  What are we working for?  What are our priorities?  Where do we spend our time?  Where should we spend our time?  Do these things tie us to the earth or do this things lift our hearts to heaven?

Ironically, our readings today focus on Lent, a time of fasting.  We again speak of our priorities; we discuss the temptations of the world around us.  We challenge ourselves to keep our hearts and minds on the season as a time of waiting and preparing for Christ, keeping our lives in readiness, being alert to the moments when Christ calls us.  In the midst of the flurry of Christmas, we challenge ourselves to mindfulness and awareness of Christ in our midst.