Mt. Irenaeus

Dr. Martin Luther King Jt + Preacher of Peace + Teacher of non-violence + Martyred Prophet for all of us... not letting go of Christmas’ meaning, and finding our union and communion in Christ; Black and other people of color, white- women and men, young and old of every age race and place~ Theses are reflections from Dr King’s sermon, Christmas Eve,1967. this Christmas season finds us a rather bewildered human race we have neither peace within your peace without everywhere seems to be paralyzed by fear our world is sick and yes my friends for Christmas hope for peace and goodwill toward all people can no longer be dismissed as a kind of Pius stream or some utopia. Not let me suggest first that if we are to have peace on earth, Our loyalties must become ecumenical rather than sectional. Our loyalties must transcend our race, our tribe, our class, Our nation ... and this means we must develop a world perspective. no individual can live alone; no nation can live alone, and as long as we try, the more we are going to have war in this world.- I still have a dream today that.. every Negro in the country, every colored person in the world, will be judged on the basis of the content of his character rather than the color of his skin, and every man will respect the dignity and worth of human personality. and grateful memory of Dr. Martin Luther King and others who have given their life for the right to live, the right to be free, a God given gift to be who you are may we take example and begin again!

Holy peace chapel, Mass a week ago. Sabbath Eucharist~ As the bread is lifted up... at this Mass and each Mass the whole earth and we, each are lifted up as well. One in the One who is One. whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away; behold new things have come! Consecrated, yes consecrated; holiness within us - around, through. We were, are made holy and good through and through! In this age when we learn so much, this much more we need to learn !... and pass on! -That we are God-like, and that each person around us is as well. shining forth the glory of God, each of us -our own image, vestige, reflection, of our Creator. We are holy as God is holy for God abides in us. Conside it!... Before anything else maybe this is what we need to hear and believe; in ourselves about ourselves and each other! consecrated, holy and good within and without.- As Saint Francis of Assisi and Saint Irenaeus who said almost 2000 years ago, the glory of God is a human person fully alive, .. a human person fully alive is God‘s glory. Today’s Gospel: As Jesus was passing through a field of grain on the Sabbath, his disciples began to make a path while picking the heads of the grain at this the Pharisees said to him look why are they doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath? He said to them the Sabbath was made for man not man for the Sabbath. That is why the son of man is Lord even of the Sabbath. Do you remember all of this, Takes a Sabbath; takes me to take a Sabbath! If not a whole day right away, How about 15 minutes to an hour Dash Sitting in quiet gratitude rather than anxiety realizing how wonder-full it is ,turmoil and all,.. How truly good it is to be here! Dan ofm if I be lifted up I will draw all things to myself, says the Lord

Sunday, January 17th These four animals are not my usual Chickadees in disguise.... Driving back from an appointment through Wyoming County And it’s beautiful rolling farmland On the open empty courier road; I saw before me in the middle what looked like an Amish wagon and a horse drawing it. ... but in the middle of the road? Coming closer it disassembled; Showed itself to be what it was, two horses and a donkey wandering around. Possibly loose from where they usually are, they were just standing there in the road still, meditating on the possibilities of what’s next, listening for a direction. I drove up slowly, At the point with no cars behind me And stopped beside them. Apparently uninterested in my interest in them, yet, I called out to them. One gently turned and looked my way then seemed to continue the thoughtful consideration of how they might spend the rest of the day. possibly you are There are others out there besides these horses, or my chickadees Who are wondering what’s next - where we all are going. Samuel was sleeping- the Lord called to Samuel who answered ‘here I am’. Samuel ran to Eli and said ‘here I am’. You called me. I did not call you, Eli said go back to sleep so he went back to sleep...called again...he rose ‘here I am’ ...but Eli answered again, I did not call you, my son, ....go back to sleep - Samuel heard for a third time his name called...and Eli understood that it was the Lord calling the youth.. from Today’s 1st reading Whether we are in the middle of the road, or one side or the other- My sisters and brothers, We are being called, by name, to wake up and listen. come and see,Jesus says in the gospel today and they followed him and stayed with him that day. Listen... Trust.... let us help each other Hear and Follow The Way to light and life together! Peace, Dan ofm

January 15~ Meditation before afternoon Mass, you are here with us. And our Christmas flowers;... Poinsettias and others are here, still here as well! As this winter day was darkening- I could feel the light emanating from flowers and faces; even as only a few of us gathered In the silence of a silver-skied and afternoon. The flowers, by the presence, might see a number of things to us Don’t throw me away! You can see, I’m still thriving! And we, at least we are still celebrating Christmas! we might consider how we too continue the celebration, Manifest the incarnation, Celebrate our own andGod’s humanization. The gospel for today suggests that the way we each are healed and forgiven comes, with others opening roofs; spaces places- on able to get near Jesus because of the crowd, they opened up the roof about him. After they had broken through they let down the mat and which their friend was lying. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to him, ‘child, your sins are forgiven’.lowering us down into the company of Jesus can reach us - because we carry each other to Him. + Forgiveness is our work as well as God’s and a wonderful way Of our lifting the roof, Removing what’s in my heart that might be in the way the eternally thriving Christ child among us Who grew up to tenderly touch us; -As others reached out And brought us to him- so Christ will heal us and send us on our way. See more

January 16 shortly after sunrise, breakfast with my neighbors~ Where can I go from your spirit... from your presence, where can I flee? If I ascend to the heavens, you are there; if I lie down in Sheol, there you are. If I take the wings of dawn and well beyond the sea, even there your hand guides me, and your right hand holds me fast. ... Darkness is not dark for you, and night shines as the day. Darkness and light are but one. Psalm 139:7-13 I find great joy in sharing the beauty of this morning with you. You and I need all of the hope that we might receive and we can offer it, pass it on to one another, from sunrise to sunset as we enter a new time together. Remembering the dark truth that; you can run but you can’t hide also comes with a wonderful full of life and light revelation that wherever you climb, ascend to or dip down into the God of light and life is there! May we see and sore - showing each other the way, With courage and endurance We will fly like eagles! ...Or at least as chickadees! Light and Peace and friends with you on your journey! Dan ofm

Holy Peace Chapel Morning Mass ~ Now, December 9th~ God gives strength ... to the fainting; for the weak he makes vigor abound. Though young men faint and grow weary and youth stagger and fall, they that hope in the Lord will renew their strength, they will soar as with the Eagles wings; they will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint. Isaiah 40:25 to 51 And~ In the gospel for today; Jesus’ appeal and out reach to the crowd is personal and compassionate; come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30 During a time when so much is expected of us, indeed demanded at times... When the world, and even our love ones with their own demands seem not to have the time, energy... to listen, God breaks out for us and reaches to. Us and our hearts and struggles through the Prophets and with GOSPEL to tell us of the intimacy of God‘s love and care - God is more than just empathetic God is incarnate, one with us in all things. - Simple, short passages of scripture - One or two words that help us to be centered - An image or name for God, that calls to mind God’s mercy love, healing,... - simply, gently, breathing- Allowing your body to breathe, your breath to rise and fall- There are simple paths and help us listen to Jesus as he tries to speak to our hearts in the midst of demanding and busy times. you may already have an effective practice. Return to it as in when it helps to listen deeply to the one Who is speaking to us, who is beside us.

An end of season message, with hopes for the New Year, from the Mountain friars.

December 8, the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary~ Our bill from Brazil is ready to call out ... for freedom again, for all women and men, children worldwide. On this feast of Mary, mother of the Americas She models for us trust in God’s invitation to us~ and the choice to risk everything for love. as , probably a fairly small and dark skin women, she may have endured poverty most of her life. She, and her Son, are beside us now in our risks for righteousness ,illness and our difficulties to endure. Today’s second reading from Mass: Brothers and sisters: Blessed be the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us in Christ with every blessing in the heavens, as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him. In love he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ .. in him we were also chosen! Ephesians1:3-6,11-12 A Bell rings out today and it calls us to know, even if we’ve gone astray, that we have a way back home. From wherever we are, and whoever we think we’ve become, We truly are adopted daughters and sons; Christ Jesus’ brothers and sisters of one another! listen for the bell calls out through the valleys of our life, calling us to freedom and to love one another . Peace! Dan ofm

Weather shifts~ colder over night with chance of snow showers. A favorite Psalm rises... and moves by these trees. The air is still and chilly When I step on the deck to put out the bird’s breakfast; Morning sunflower seeds. from Saint Theresa of Avila, Wisdom something like this - let nothing disturb you, nothing trouble you place all your cares with God! and a psalm; a beautiful mantra for dark days and dark nights: Darkness is not dark for you, Oh lord! let the light of a dark night cast out cold darkness from your heart and the way before you.. be bright; alive in God’s light. Peace! Dan Riley ofm

Another morning; sunrise; still-waking hills and trees. Yet, watch- see this is it’s own clouds and color.... Light falls then shines it’s on way this Monday. Repetition may teach us that nothing repeats itself That is alive- If I am open to subtle differences, delighting and confounding- prayer prayers and people in my heart often start this reflection. nothing is the same, Much seems similar. each day is personality Begins to emerge with the sun or, that there may be no sun showing. We listen and see that we are one in the One In an always changing cosmos. ....and here we are, watching our own privileged star - to begin A new time once again, it’s Monday morning, like never before! mainly experience Christ in all of his healing into our lives during the season as we wait to celebrate the reason God is here. Peace! Dan ofm

As we move into another week of Advent, for what shall we pray? Please pray for the intentions below and for those in the quiet of our hearts. Amen.

October 28 Feast of Saint Simon and Jude, apostles Jesus went up on the mountain to pray, and he spent the night in prayer to God. ... When he came down, he called his disciples to himself... Like 6:12-16 Brothers and sisters: you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and the prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone.... you also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. Ephesians2:19-22 The call goes out for leaders who will call us together to no longer be strangers and sojourners, rather- to find our company with one another, as Christ’s Brothers and sisters- dwelling in this world with one another. consider who will bring us there, and challenge us to live this way. Peace! Dan ofm

December 6, second Sunday of advent~ there is an elegance, A naked revelation... we’re blessed to see of trees this time of year. They stand, stretching -As they do all year- Reaching for the sun to cup and catch its rays In its leaves- now we see them! Stripped by the wind And it’s own letting go to move into this winter time- We see the tree for what it is And also what it Longs to be. From a time of Bareness; these gentle giants of life will spring forth again. Winter has the quality of the desert... exposed and vulnerable we can feel our needs for care and protection. And so, readings for today’s Eucharist: Comfort, give comfort to my people says your God . Speak tenderly to Jerusalem and proclaim to her that her service is at an end ... go up onto a high mountain Herald of Good News! cry out at the top of your voice...Here is your God! Here comes with power Your Lord,God like a shepherd he feeds his flock - in his arms he gathers the lambs, carrying them in his bosom, and leading to ewes with care. Isaiah 40: 1-5,9-11 Soon, naked as a blue jay or a tree - our Lord comes; is here to save us, to call us to a new way of life; to life itself! ... we await new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells 2 Peter3:8-14 Simplicity of God shines out from the bareness of trees for us to see Our God did not hold back but comes to remain with us. Peace! Dan ofm

The annual online auction to support Mt. Irenaeus is set for Nov. 6-15! Get your bidding fingers ready for some great items for yourself and for those on your holiday gift list.

Cattaraugus County, New York. genesee Road. The beauty of Autumn field! natures seeds sown for another season.;... some germinate now and winter over. today’s gospel: Jesus said what is the kingdom of God like? To what can I compare it? It is like a mustard seed that a person took and planted in a field. When it was fully grown, it became a large bush and the birds of the sky dwelt in its branches.. Luke 23:18-21 whatever the season of our life where ever we are as we grow others will find our lives, our arms,our hearts - places to dwell; to find strength to rise up and fly... to bear the good news of God‘s Reign in their own way!

Sunday Mass at the Mountain~ Speak Lord, your servant is listening.. Is.... The Word of God is alive and active in our hearing... near enough to here, far enough away to be healthy we enter a new day and a new week and ~ the Word makes all things new! Let us continue to live this day this Way. Peace, Dan ofm

Sunday, October 25 th~ Dive in! Go for it! it’s already here!;... - this trusting chickadee might be saying to me as the sun rises on another morning... when we might continue to mistrust, misunderstand, and misuse of people in this, our wonderful land. Christ’s Reign of Justice, Love and peace! Is at hand- and waiting for us to enter together, looking out for each other listening to each other. in our readings today we hear that God hears the cry of those in need... I will hear him; for I am compassionate. Jesus is the fulfillment of, and teaches the ancient Hebrew wisdom that there are two laws which are really one- The law of the love of God and neighbor... it all begins with listening; hearing, observing, reflecting upon who and what we might be for one another. Our living God is listening to each of us today- And looks for us to listen to another.. To feed and care, ..So to love one another as God loves and listens to us! See more

October 24th Each leaf, a light and mirror waving, offers back to Sister Earth- and our Creator-... all it’s life’s energy. This season teaches; as a Birch cluster shimmers In late day sunlight offering us In this moment the reason why we are empowered by the ancient fire, is still burning to live our days in love- withstanding, in the evening of our lives, the darkness that denies the gift of Fire’s Light, Son’s gold we are. Let the last of the leaves Speak to you, as they leave their branches and fall from the trees. Peace, Dan ofm

Will we take this road? No lane lines for our path; it’s clear- from here we can find our way together. There are hard times... and darkness still nearby yet we’ve work hard and can still. We head into the sun which has become for all of us our Destination, our home. We are a nation known for working together- suffering, but not broken beyond healing. Let’s call each other out and call each other on. there is a place Beyond where we are. Let us look up to an opening sky trust our God who has not passed by- beside us drawing each other in. See more

May Christ dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the holy ones ... what is the breath and length and height and depth, and how to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:14-22 you and I know that fullness comes also with emptiness, or better said our emptying our self and becoming open and as we open, we are able to receive. The earth is receiving seeds and rain and the hope of new life even as it moves towards winter.. So it is for us... as we create a space; a dwelling place within us for The Word+ which bares fruit in due season. Peace! Dan ofm

October 21~ Walking towards the Chapel, Taking the beauty end of this morning hour before Eucharist.~ When you read this... you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to human beings in other generations as it has now been revealed to his apostles and prophets by the Spirit, that the Gentiles our co-heirs, members of the same body, and co-partners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. Of this I became a minister by the gift of God‘s grace that was greater than me ... To bring to light for all what is the plan of the mystery hidden from ages past ... God who created all things, with the exercise his power! Ephesians 3:3-12 The beauty of the sun rising over our chapel this morning- This light of Christ, Signs on each and everyone of us... Or we are One; Coheirs, co-partners! Peace, Dan ofm

October 20, a small Rivelet at the bottom of our hill~ he came and preached peace to you were far off and peace to those who were near, for through him we both have access in one ... spirit to the father so then you are no longer strangers and sojourners- but we are fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the household of God... With Jesus Christ himself as the capstone. Ephesians 2 A simple moment somewhere Can open us to the home That the earth is for all of us And we one family, to live as sisters And brothers here

Japanese red Maple outside our kitchen window~ The light has been shifting, Colors intensifying, inviting me to pause,... stand by the stove looking out the window And resting in the marvel of beauty so present. ~ be still and know that I am God be still and know that I am + Be still and know - Be still - Be - You are of God living and true! St Francis of Assisi rest in God’s peace and wake ready to serve others! Dan ofm