Shorelines of the Spirit

Poinsettias and Thorns Advent came and went in its lovely darkness,  and Christmas burst in with lights, wonderful music, joyful festivity,  and so many opportunities to connect and re-connect... In our monastery church,  which has been spectacularly bright and colorful with Christmas trees,  poinsettias,  and a  beautiful creche,  one seemingly discordant note stands out:  a crown-of-thorns plant in bloom.   What is this Good Friday reminder of Jesus' passion and death doing in the middle of poinsettias,  Magi, and brightly-lit trees? Well, it belongs to the story,  because that Baby arrived in Bethlehem for one reason:  to bring us home to God and to one another in love, peace,  and reconciliation.  He accomplished it by preaching, by miracles,  but ultimately by surrendering His life to God on the Cross.   His Resurrection promises us the same hope in our own lives,  as we also give of ourselves to God.   And that mostly happens  as we give of ourselves to one another in