This is the first week of advent! This is the season of hope! What are we hoping for? I am hoping for “the best Christmas ever”. What I mean about this is that every Christmas is a year closer to our eternal family of love. As we draw closer to our death, we have the certain hope of God’s mercy and compassion. Listen to the part of Eucharistic Prayer III for our beloved that has died. If you read it out loud it will have a greater impact. Imagine the dead body and blood of Jesus Christ before you:

Father, hear the prayers of the family you have gathered here before you.

In mercy ad love unite all your children wherever they may be.

Remember (our Beloved who has died).

In baptism he (she) died with Christ: may he (she) also share his resurrection, when Christ will raise our mortal bodies and make them like his own in glory.

Welcome into your kingdom our departed brothers and sisters, and all who have left this world in your friendship. There we hope to share in your glory when every tear will be wiped away.

This is how I approached death while I was thrown into the war in the desert of Iraq. When Edward Iwan was dying before me on 11-11-2004, I just had to sing O Holy Night.

O Holy night, the stars are brightly shining,

it is the night of our dear Savior’s birth (death).

Long lay the world in sin and error pining,

‘til he appeared, and the world felt it’s worth.

A thrill of hope, a weary world rejoices,

For yonder breaks, a new and glorious morn…

Fall on your knees, and hear the angel voices…

Who doesn’t shed a tear at that song almost every Christmas. We believe Christmas can’t get any better… and then in the “silent night” of our hearts…it does! Tear in the Desert was born when I sang with the angels on November 11, 2004. The “tear” from Edward’s left eye was like experiencing the water and blood flowing from the side of Jesus immediately after He died on the Holy Cross.

I recently prayed the following with St. Augustine in the Liturgy of the Hours:

O the happiness of the heavenly alleluia, sung in security, in fear of no adversity! We shall have no enemies in heaven; we shall never lose a friend. God’s praises are sung both there and here, but here they are sung in anxiety, there, in security; here they are sung by those destined to die, there, by those destined to live forever; here they are sung in hope, there in hope’s fulfillment; here they are sung by wayfarers, there by those living in their own country.

I am working on my next book called TEAR IN MY SOUL, which will be about the time leading up to going to the desert in Iraq and after my return. My journal entries have surprised me. This is how I began a journal exactly one year before I went off for Iraq in August of 2003. I was the pastor of St. Patrick’s and had to reluctantly go for a week of tests and evaluations:

I am on another journey, reluctantly.

I am not alone, but protected with love and prayers.

I feel so very blessed.

I am quite peaceful, flying through the air.

God will not let me down.

God will protect and nourish the flock entrusted to me…every one of them.

I don’t judge, therefore I will avoid judgment.

I don’t condemn, therefore I will not be condemned.

I forgive, and so I am forgiven for my sins that I confess.

I give generously. My God gives so much more.

I love you Jesus. I am not afraid.

Yes!…whatever you want.

Help my unbelief.

Forgive me if I falter.

Have mercy on me.

I love you and trust you.

Thanks for today…

…and the many blessings.

Ron Moses +

Those who are Generous with God have no Trouble!

St. Augustine who witnessed so much death and tragic destruction kept writing about the need to sing and keep on going no matter what the situation in this dying world:

So then my sisters and brothers, let us sing now, not in order to enjoy a life of leisure, but in order to lighten our labors. You should sing as wayfarers do—sing, but continue your journey. Sing, but keep going. What do I mean by keep going? Keep on making progress. This progress, however, must be in virtue; for there are some, the Apostle warns, whose only progress is vice. If you make progress you will be continuing your journey, but be sure that your progress is in virtue, true faith and right living. Sing then, but keep going!

O Beloved people, Advent is a time to turn away from sin…which is an absence of God. As the great Saint John the Baptist encourages us during this short advent of Christmas, keep singing. This is the song from my heart as I concluded my journal entry a year before I was on a mission to search for gift of the tear in the desert:

I am like every other man or woman

Full of compassion, lust, sins, joy

My cup will overflow with the

Blessings of God

If only I am open

If I simply call God, Father

Our Father in Heaven

I am guilty of sin

But god doesn’t want us to dwell on sin or guilt

God loves us and calls us out of darkness

Into the light

God says:

I am the Bread of Life

I am the Light of the World

I am here for you and your neighbor

I am in love with you

I am Holy

You are Holy…

In my Name

In my Creation

In my Hopes for You

Do not be afraid.

I love You.

Always

Forever

Be still and know that I AM GOD

Your Protector, Your Shield

Your Breath

Your Soul

Your very life… …o my!

Beloved, go on and keep singing and have the “best Advent ever”. You will then be “seasoned for hope” that this Christmas will truly be “the best Christ Mass ever!”

Love, joy, peace…and HOPE!

Father Ron Moses +

www.tearinthedesert.com