John Philip Newell gave a very fine lecture this past summer at Boston College entitled "The Meeting Between East and West: Spirituality Beyond Boundaries.” It is 1 hr and 41 min in length and you can pause and restart if needed. You can access it at https://youtu.be/WgPRRya9MuY.
Last week, six of us participated in the annual CRC JPIC Ontario Network workshop. With the closing of Scarboro Missions, the event was moved to Kingston with great success. I came from Montreal, Rosemary Shannon, Rosemary Brosseau, Mildred Chabassol and Emily Doherty were there from Kingston and Nina Glinski travelled from Ottawa. Exploring the theme of the role of the Catholic Church and theology in relations with First Nations from colonization to the present, we worked with emotionally challenging history, along with examples and stories of hope that a different type of relationship is possible. The guest speaker was the Honourable Graydon Nicholas, Maliseet, former Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick and member of the Guadalupe Circle (Catholic healing circle for First Nations relationships). He presented little known gems of solidarity from history, while group participants shared stories of change from today and their plans for moving forward in a better way. As CND, we found the variety of resources, information and experiences to be very helpful as we consider an increased Community response to the 94 Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
Each of the three readings this First Sunday of Advent invites us into the Season. In the first reading Isaiah says “we are the clay and You the potter”. Paul writes in his letter “God is faithful, and by him you were called to fellowship with his Son.” Mark’s gospel in particular touches my past and present in a special way:
Jesus said to his disciples:
"Be watchful! Be alert! …
you do not know when the Lord of the house is coming,
whether in the evening, or at midnight,
or at cockcrow, or in the morning [on the E-train].
May he not come suddenly and find you sleeping.
What I say to you, I say to all: 'Watch!'"