Fire Power
Bethlehem Afterglow: In Memory of Fr. John Hampsch
Editor's Note: I contacted Fr. Hampsch about writing for Catholic365 in June of 2020. We had a wonderful phone conversation where he gave me some background on his life as a Catholic priest, and also spoke of his deteriorating health. He mailed me the following poem entitled "Bethlehem Afterglow" to publish around Christmas, as well as a copy of his book, One Minute Meditations For Busy People. I received word recently that Fr. Hampsch passed away on November 9, 2020 at the age of 94. I am grateful for our brief conversation and will continue to post excerpts from his works in the future.
Bethlehem AfterglowWhen heaven's "Glory in the Highest" kissed earth's "lowliest of the low," sacred ecstasies perhaps were birthed, as one might well Imagine, witnessing from a distance the most prodigious drama of any creature-Creator encounter, and staged in earth's most unpretentious theatre.
A cattle shed, with its nauseous stench and scatter-clutter, had segued into a simple lowly throne-room for the meek and humble Infant King of Kings. From there the cuddly Baby-God surveyed the awesome universe that He Himself created.
The feeding manger merged into a grace-designed repository for heaven's sacred soul food--the Blessed Bread of Life. |
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Swaddling clothes--grace--vestures that clothe a soul engaged in any prayerful God--encounter.
Mary's lap--lovely pulpit from which she joyfully proclaimed the awesome Word of God that she herself had just enfleshed.
Joseph--stalwart and noble highly privileged guard who, from creation's very dawn was Providence-- assigned to protect the sainted Virgin--Mother and her tiny Baby God.
Angel choirs--delighted to share with joy--impoverished earthlings a few enrapturing echoes of heaven's hosanna symphony.
Peace on earth--a precious Gift from God himself that even to this very day still remains unopened. |
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About the Author
The Rev. John H. Hampsch, C.M.F., ordained as a Catholic priest in 1952, is a member of the Claretian Missionaries, and is founder and director of the Claretian Teaching Ministry. Listed in Who’s Who in Religion in America, he has served as parish priest, seminary professor and rector, college professor, lecturer, magazine writer, newspaper columnist, editor, retreat master, hospital chaplain, prison chaplain, campus chaplain, Cursillo director and director of suicide prevention programs in Texas and California.
He earned degrees in philosophy from Loyola-Marymount University in Los Angeles and from Notre Dame University, with postgraduate work at the University of Southern California and the Dominican House of Studies in River Forest, Illinois, in ascetical and mystical theology.
Find his many books and audio/visual recordings at www.Catholicbooks.net
