Shem Center for Interfaith Spirituality
Joseph Kilikevice, Founding Director
Steven G. Miller, Assistant Director
Christmas, 2024
Dear family and friends,
Whenever there was a new niece or nephew born into my family, I have vivid memories of seeing them for the first time. I recall being asked, “Would you like to hold her or him?” The joy of doing so was being shared with the rest of the family by proud parents bringing new life into the world. Not having children of my own, this simple gesture remains a beautiful memory of knowing that there are times when joy is much too big to be kept to oneself. One naturally holds the infant on the left side of one’s chest, connecting heart to heart with the blessing of new life.
This simple gesture of heartfelt hospitality seems to be so common and universal that it is easy to imagine Mary and Joseph doing the same, saying to the shepherds and other visitors, “Would you like to hold him? We want you to share in our joy.”
At Christmas time we are all given an invitation to hold Him close to our hearts and feel the joy of new life this season celebrates. Even a few moments of seeing ourselves in the scene that took place in Bethlehem, a birth like all births, one that changed the world bringing a message that new life no matter where it takes place is a blessing to all of us.
It is difficult not to also think of the stories and images we see on the news of children playing in the rubble of bombed out buildings that have become their playground. With deep sorrow over the 31,000 children under age 5 having been killed in Gaza during the conflict there comes to mind. Our children have active shooter drills in schools throughout the country. The threat of deportation and the separation of immigrant families is talked about as a new administration is about to take its place in the White House. How do such images take their place in our Christmas celebration this year? The good news of the Gospel message welcoming new life into our world is proclaimed with apprehension.
May the narrative that is ours to write with our lives be one that celebrates life, and not destroy it, one that invites us to hold the newborn child of our dreams in a world of justice, inclusiveness and peace. With the angels that proclaimed the birth of Jesus we join them asking the world, “Would you like to hold Him?”
May you feel His heartbeat in yourself and in others,
Br. Joseph Kilikevice, OP
Shem Center for Interfaith Spirituality
From the Director Archive
Armistice Day November 11, 2024
Today is a crisp, bright day with a clear, blue sky. Our country’s flag flys above the Oak Park Fire station across the alley. I can see it from my bedroom window, at times flown at half mast to honor a recently deceased firefighter. Today it proudly flys to the top of the pole. This day is now called Veteran’s day, but I grew up knowing it as Armistice Day. It marked the end of the World War One in 1918. My Dad fought in that war in France as a newly arrived American immigrant from his Lithuanian homeland. He was just 17 years old. Years later my younger brother, John was born on Armistice day, and we always celebrated both events together as something special to be acknowledged. His son, Shawn called me today to talk a bit as he frequently does.
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We cannot look away from the devastation in Gaza and the violent attacks against Lebanon
I received the following message from a friend. The message goes far beyond the politics involved as it addresses a deeply held concern that is within the purpose and mission of Shem Center. I offer it here by way of choosing not be silent over the deaths of some 400,000 Lebanese children as well as 40,000 Palestinian women and children in Gaza. Yes, we’re talking about children! The depth of suffering of our sisters and brothers and their children is impossible to imagine. Yet knowing about it belongs in the narrative of everyone’s life. The heartbreaking story of the Jewish people is also woven into this story. How we hold these stories and how we choose to act is ours to decide. Choosing to ignore them is wrong.
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All are entitled to the blessings of liberty
“One nation under God,“ are words we use in The Pledge of Allegiance. To use words like “blessing” and, “God” is language not-for profit organizations like Shem Center use frequently. Yet, political statements are not permitted by us even though places of worship are often used as sites in which make them.
This is not meant to be a political statement, but rather one claiming the language appropriate to Shem Center, an organization whose message honors all faith traditions and all spiritual paths.
Read MoreShem Center for Interfaith Spirituality
708 North Harvey Avenue
Oak Park, IL 60302
(708) 848-1095
shemcenter1993@gmail.com
Photo Credits: Emory Mead, Stephen B. Starr, Joseph Kilikevice
The Shem Center for Interfaith Spirituality website is awarded a 2022 American Digital Design Award for excellence in design and user experience.
