Saturday of the Third Week of Advent
There are two stories in today’s scripture readings. The first reading tells us the story of David and gospel reading is the story of the annunciation. I am stepping aside Advent themes to deal with very common questions that people ask: “What is God’s will for me?” “How do I discern whether I am doing God’s will or not?” Discerning God’s will is a complex spiritual exercise. In the stories of David and Mary, we might have some insights.
Saturday of the Third Week of Advent
A number of years ago, I visited the Indianapolis Children’s museum. I loved it. Even as an adult I found so much of the museum engaging and educational. One highlight was the arch building. They had big foam blocks that kids (or big kids) could use to start the arch. Each block was more angular than the next. While trying to balance two wavering, teetering pillars you had to complete your arch by putting in the last piece, the keystone. As I read the O’ Antiphon connected to today’s readings I was reminded of that experience and found the title, “keystone of the Church” resonating within me.
Friday of the Third Week of Advent
In this last week of Advent, we hear more about and from Mary. Today’s gospel reading (Luke 1: 46-56) is the beautiful Magnificat, Mary’s prayer (probably sung) in response to Elizabeth’s greeting shortly after learning that she would be the mother of the Messiah. It is a well-known, powerful hymn of praise that is made up of verses taken from the Psalms and Prophets.
Thursday of the Third Week of Advent
Take a moment to remember the instants of your life that were filled with the joy and glee we see in today’s readings. The potential of a first date, an acceptance letter to college, a team victory, marriage or birth of a child, a promotion or first big assignment at work… It’s good to remember these moments from time to time. Most of them are forward-looking; the potential of what could come is what makes us so excited to be at the beginning. Later, when we’ve received (in part or in full) what we yearned for, it’s not as exciting; but it can be far more satisfying. Isn’t our life of faith the same way?
Wednesday of the Third Week of Advent
Messengers and their messages are not always as straight forward as we would expect. Often the busyness of our day and the clutter of lives can obscure profound messages. This seems more true in this season of Advent. The to-do-list for Christmas often gets higher priority than Advent. The contrast is striking. On one level, we are shopping, decorating, cooking, cleaning and preparing for the important celebration that is Christmas. On another level we are being called to empty ourselves to make room for the Lord in our lives.
Tuesday of the Third Week of Advent
I love the idea of paper calendars, and I even have one. But the truth is, I completely rely on my electronic calendar. Because it’s on my phone and because I have my phone with me all the time, I never fail to enter a new appointment or event. And I love it that it rings a delightfully cheerful “bell” ten minutes before I need to be somewhere like a meeting or class.
Monday of the Third Week of Advent
I have always been fascinated by dreams…particularly my own. Dreams can be so comforting and weird and terrifying—all at the same time. Most often, I forget my dreams upon awakening. Still, at times there are emotions or feelings that linger and I know it is because of the dreams I had the night before. Scripture relates the dreams of many prophets and ordinary people including Moses, Abraham, Gideon, Samuel, Daniel, the Magi, and Peter to name a few. Today's Gospel passage about St. Joseph reminds me that Emmanuel—'God with us'—works in unconventional ways in my life. Dreams, emotions, intellect, memory, etc. are God given gifts through which God reveals Godself to me. Joseph was a humble, unknown, working man making a life changing decision based upon a dream. A dream! But Joseph's story is a perfect example of how I can see God expressing God's will through the innumerable gifts given me.
Third Sunday of Advent
For Advent this year, my focus has been almost entirely on the first readings of the last three weeks, more specifically, the Babylonian exile. In the first week of Advent, I focused on the people of God desperately yearning God’s redeeming intervention. In the second week of Advent, I reflected on Isaiah’s announcement the exile was coming to an end. I remember preaching that while the exile could be attributed to God’s justice, the people newfound freedom was an act of God’s mercy. This week, we continue with our reflection on the exile. Only thing is that today’s first reading is directed toward the people who are finally back in their homeland.
Saturday of the Second Week of Advent
Let me paint a picture for you. It is a Friday, so my wife is at work and I’m at home with the kids. Our two girls, Avila and Hosanna are playing well, when our son, Ignatius, looks up with wide eyes and declares. "I have to go potty!" Playing the part of cool, calm, collected Dad, I say, “OK, head upstairs, I’ll be up to check on you in a minute. Ready, set, go, go, go” (because everything is more fun as a race). As I finish ensuring that all choking hazards are as far from Avila as possible, I start to head toward the stairs when Iggy announces that he’s had an accident. He made it to the potty, but while he as going potty… he made a poop in his pants. Immediately, I feel the cool, calm, and collected side of me evaporating as all I can think about is “How did he manage to do that?” I think this makes Sirach's words about fathers turning their hearts toward their sons timely.
Friday of the Second Week of Advent
A story is told about one of my favorite saints, Teresa of Avila. In order to comprehend the story, you need to know that she is the founder of the Order of Discalced Carmelites, a very strict order in which people do a lot of fasting and other ascetic acts. The word “discalced” means “unshod,” and these Carmelites walk around barefoot or in sandals, again as an ascetic practice, and also as a witness to the fact that Jesus himself was poor and did not have shoes in the way that we do. Teresa advocated lots of time for prayer and contemplation, a very difficult thing to do. So, imagine the surprise of her nuns when they encountered her in the kitchen one day eating partridge, and clearly enjoying it. The nuns exclaimed that she wasn’t fasting, but Teresa said, “When I fast, I fast, and when I partridge, I partridge.”
Memorial of Saint John of the Cross, Priest and Doctor of the Church
Today is the feast day of St. John of the cross, a holy man who worked closely with Teresa of Avila, was deeply contemplative and at one point escaped from prison by prying the doors from his cell. St. John of the Cross is the patron saint of contemplatives and mystics. I believe that many similarities can be drawn between St. John of the Cross and St. John the Baptist, most pointedly in their self-discipline and physical acts of penitence. Both me n were solely focused on proclaiming the coming of Christ. Both men also harken back even further to another man of penitence and proclamation - the prophet Elijah.
Memorial of Saint Lucy, Virgin and Martyr
Advent may be the season of preparation for the Feast of the Nativity, yet it’s focus often seems like season of getting stuff done for Christmas. Of course, these four weeks include both. Yet, it is tempting to focus so much on our temporal Christmas checklist, that our exhaustion can obscure the possible spiritual growth of an Advent season well celebrated. Today’s readings address our weariness and speak of the strengthening that is offered to those who place their hope in the Lord.
Monday of the Second Week of Advent
For a young woman of Mary’s day, it would not be good news to learn that she would become pregnant soon and not by the man that she was engaged to marry. More than likely, that news would be the harbinger of endless rumors, scandal, the end of her engagement. In short, her demise as a “good” woman.
Monday of the Second Week of Advent
I have been struggling recently. As a Christian I am called to live with joy and hope as I build the Kingdom of God, but so many things in the world around me do not give me reason to believe. The political fighting, the lack of respect for people (particularly if they are a different race, ethnicity or religion), and the exploding world of consumerism during this holiday season all create a sense of restlessness in me. Today’s readings are reminders of what we can expect when we live in the Kingdom of God. These passages create a longing within me to able to live in the Kingdom right now. Since we are disciples of Jesus, we are called not only to seek and recognize, but we are sent forth to build His Kingdom even in the midst of the chaos of this world.
Second Sunday of Advent
When we gather to celebrate the Eucharist, one of the first things we do is examine our consciences and seek God’s mercy. “Kyrie Eleison! Christe Eleison! Kyrie Eleison!” And then the celebrants announces the absolution, saying, “May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life!” The congregation responds with a resounding, “Amen!” And then community does something special. We break out into the Gloria! “Glory to God in the highest,” we sing, “and peace to his people on earth!” The reason is simple. The experience of God mercy and forgiveness leads us to rejoicing! One moment the mood is sorrow for sin and the next moment the mood changes to praise! This contrast of moods is also the best way to explain the spirit of Advent. All of Advent we prepare our lives for Christ. And then at Christmas, we break forth singing “Glory to God in the highest!”
Saturday of the First Week of Advent
When preparing for the weekly reflection I often read over and pray with the readings as they appear on the USCCB’s website (Not sure what I mean? Follow the link above). Rarely do I go out of my way to find them in the Bible unless I’m foggy on the context of the passage or, as is the case today, verses are omitted.
Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
On this, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the readings begin with the story of Adam and Eve (Genesis 3: 9-15, 20) and how they disobeyed God and sinned. It is a story about human weakness and sinfulness. Once they disobeyed God they became aware of their nakedness and were ashamed. They tried to hide themselves from God in their shame.
Memorial of Saint Ambrose, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
Scripture Readings
The other day I was watching my two toddler boys playing with a new favorite toy. It was clear that one was doing most of the playing, while the other was waiting and hoping to play with it. On this particular occasion, rather than fighting, whining, or stealing, the other son simply said in toddler-ese, “switch please.” His brother gave him the toy and took his turn waiting.
Wednesday of the First Week of Advent
Have you ever climbed a mountain? How does the experience of being on a mountain differ from being in the valley? Mountain climbing certainly can be a physically exhausting process. Yet part of the reason for going up a mountain often goes well beyond the physical. For those who have done it, getting to the top of a mountain is gratifying in an almost surreal way. Being at the top can be a spiritual experience. From the mountain top we see a perspective of the big picture that is often invisible from the valley. In my own experience, the beauty of the mountain top is enlivened by snow, clouds or even a fast approaching storm whose electricity demands our flight.
Tuesday of the First Week of Advent
In 1980, CNN started the first ever 24-hour newscast. Back then, people were skeptical, and the network’s ratings showed it. Who needed news 24 hours a day? Wasn’t the nightly network newscast coupled with a local newscast and maybe a newspaper enough for the average American? Apparently not as many other 24-hour news networks followed and, over time, gained in popularity.