Monday of the Third Week of Advent
Scripture Readings
One of the best things about the holidays is remembering what Christmas was like at home as I was growing up. We had a large family and there was always great fun, big messes of paper and presents, going to Mass and visiting grandparents, and a lot of good meals. For me, most of the memories are good ones but I can also remember some very painful times for my family. There was a relative that always seemed to be in a crisis of his own making and his behavior inevitably impacted everyone. Year after year I watched my parents feeling sad and frustrated over the behavior of this beloved relative. As a little child I did not understand these things and I remember wishing he would be gone and not come back and hurt my parents and grandparents anymore. Now I realize how much they loved him. Now I can see that you keep staying and trying and hoping and helping because that is what families do when they love someone.
Third Sunday of Advent
Today is Gaudate Sunday, or Rejoice Sunday! The focus of every third Sunday of advent is joy. This Sunday however is different than any other Sunday in the history of our country. This weekend we sadly remember the 20 children killed in the mass shooting in Connecticut. This was the seventh mass shooting of the year. What is happening to our society? It seems to we do not need wars or terrorists to kill us. We can do this to ourselves. As I wrote this homily, I could not but keep these mass killings in mind. I think the readings do have a message for us.
Saturday of the Second Week of Advent
In the tradition of Jewish hope for the Messiah, the one who would come and restore God’s reign, there was an expectation that the great prophet Elijah would come back as a forerunner to the Messiah, an indication that the one who came after was indeed God’s servant who will save His people from oppression. In the first reading, we see a recitation of this expectation of Elijah’s return, “You were destined, it is written, in time to come to put an end to wrath before the day of the Lord, to turn back the hearts of fathers toward their sons, and to re-establish the tribes of Jacob.” And in the gospel, Jesus alludes to Elijah’s suffering such that it was clear to the disciples that he was identifying John the Baptist with Elijah. The Baptist is indeed the forerunner to Jesus, the Messiah. It is not as clear as was expected.
Memorial of Saint John of the Cross, priest and doctor of the Church
Of course there are many ways to describe this poem, but one of them surely is to say: this poet knows the right way to respond to God. He gives his whole self - throughout the poem and St. John's commentary on this poem, we see him give up his pride, his lust, his gluttony, and all the rest of his possession of the seven deadly sins; his imperfections, his worries, and his emptiness. He gives them all to God, and because of this he finds himself face to face with God, who loves him beyond anything he could have imagined.
Memorial of Saint Lucy, Virgin and Martyr
Have you ever felt as lowly as a worm? Or how about a maggot? I still remember a time as a young girl that I was playing in my friend’s backyard and we opened the lid to the garbage can and the underside of it was crawling with maggots. I had never seen a maggot before and I was horrified; I thought they were the most disgusting creatures ever. Sometimes I feel as lowly as a disgusting little maggot, unworthy of God’s love and mercy.
Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet. (Rev. 12:1) The Marian images for today’s feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe remind of us of the powerful moments and importance of the new life that was entering our world.
The reading from Revelation gives us a glimpse of the story of Mary bringing Jesus to birth, albeit within the context of colorful language. Mary, the Ark of the Covenant, accepts the invitation to bring Jesus into our world. This acceptance is also seen in today’s gospel as Elizabeth welcomes the mother of our Lord. How is it that we welcome the Lord and his mother into our lives and homes? Do we recognize that the Lord is seen even in the least among us?
Tuesday of the Second Week of Advent
It is easy to get caught up in the business of the Advent season while missing its deeper spiritual significance. Thankfully, the readings for today present us with vivid images that focus our attention on Jesus as the focal point of our preparation and celebration during this time.
In the first reading, Isaiah offers a profoundly moving image of the changes that will result at the arrival of the Lord. Christians have traditionally interpreted Isaiah’s pronouncements to be foretelling not only the birth of Jesus at Christmas but also to be looking forward to the second coming of Jesus at the end of time. Consequently, reading Isaiah during Advent helps us to prepare our minds and hearts to celebrate Christmas and remain cognizant of his second coming as well.
Monday of the Second Week of Advent
At Immaculate Conception Parish we consider ourselves a “community of disciples”. A disciple is someone who follows Christ (thinks like Jesus, talks like Jesus and acts like Jesus.) But I think a disciple is also someone who disciples others and brings them to Christ. I have many people who lead me to Christ, but I am particularly blessed to have a husband that disciples me in my faith. He shows me how to be Christ like by his selfless giving of himself to others in his work, in the activities he supports and at home. He also leads me by example in his love and acceptance of all people. In the evening before bed, we pray together and reflect on scripture. He opens my eyes in many ways to what it means to be like Christ. In this year of Being Home at Church and Church at Home, I believe we are being called to disciple one another in a place which is closest to our hearts, but can be the most challenging place to live our faith- our homes. The readings today invite us to remember that we have a role in bringing others to Christ for healing and grace. When we live our faith- our discipleship- in our homes, Christ’s presence will be with us and “we will see the glory of the LORD.” (Is 35:2)
Second Sunday of Advent
I had just finished my grocery shopping at Kroger’s and as I was driving away from the parking lot I realized that my care rear door had just flung open. Obviously, I had not shut it tight. Meanwhile another car had just pulled up next to me to let me know that I was driving with my door open. I thanked this person for caring and then, lo and behold, as if this was a scene from Hollywood, this amazingly trendy, gorgeous, young woman steps out and hands me this little booklet. And she tells me (Hollywood style) how in this season when everybody is rushing, how patience can help. I told her I was the pastor at Immaculate and I think her face dropped a little bit. But then we said goodbye and unlike Hollywood style, parted ways. I came back home and glanced over the little booklet and it was obvious that Marissa was a Mormon. I knew then that her face had dropped, perhaps, because she knew I was Catholic. Nevertheless, the message she gave me was well taken. She was asking me to slow down and be centered just when life becomes hectic. Without talking about Christ she was proposing Christ to me as the answer.
Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Today is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a day of celebration for the Church throughout the world and especially for the parish of the Immaculate Conception!
Memorial of Saint Ambrose, bishop and doctor of the Church
Lots of non-Christians have wanted to claim that Christians are dualistic: that is, that they separate the body and the mind. They claim we see bodies as evil, that we don't like sex, or eating, or anything else that is bodily. Instead, we promote fasting and abstinence and giving up things as a way of trying to make our bodies insignificant.
Thursday of the First Week of Advent
It’s such a busy time of year these few weeks before Christmas. I love Advent and the liturgical richness of this time, and I get frustrated sometimes with my own stress and external pressures that I take on to hustle and bustle and hurry up and get all my shopping and decorating done (which I never seem to be able to get done in a timely fashion anyhow). I wish I could just stay in the mode of the quiet waiting and preparing of our hearts for Jesus’ coming.
Wednesday of the First Week of Advent
Where are the places that you see as in your life as sacred? At home there is a place I like to sit and pray. Right now there is a Little Blue Book with Advent reflections on that arm of the chair. I like to read it first thing in the morning when I awaken. Also, on the kitchen table where we eat as a family is an Advent wreath. This table and this wreath are at the center of our family activities. The light of the candles help bring a prayerful close to the day for all that can be there. Indeed the wreath and its light are symbols that draw us into a spirit of prayer.
Tuesday of the First Week of Advent
Today I heard on the radio about a service that will send you a compliment by email or text message if you are having a bad day. On the one hand, this seems like a good idea to me. It is often easy to get discouraged by life and to crave a friendly message from another person. There are times when I wish someone would give me a compliment. On the other hand, I suspect that this is only a superficial response to a deeper issue. It seems to me that one reason why people feel the need for a compliment service is that there is so much bad news going around. The news seems always to be full of problems. It is easy to dwell on what is going wrong, because there is indeed so much injustice in the world today. It is in keeping with our need to experience encouragement at a crucial time that the scriptures today point us to the revelation of Jesus. By focusing on these scriptures we can find the deep encouragement we need to get through this season of the year.
Memorial of Saint Francis Xavier, Priest
A few years back I traveled to Seattle for my little cousin's wedding. Taking full advantage of the opportunity to be in the Pacific Northwest, I budgeted plenty of time to explore the scenic landscape for which Washington is known. Before I ever left Ohio, I had my itinerary planned and my routes mapped. Item No. 1 on the agenda was to climb Granite Mountain, a challenging, yet very achievable goal. For my long hike up the mountain, I came prepared, bringing plenty of water, protein bars, and my Bible, stopping from time to time to gain physical and spiritual refreshment. It was awesome! The sights, the sounds, and the solitude made for one of the most beautiful experiences of my life. The only detour (literally) came when I inadvertently deviated from the actual trail. I didn't know where I had gone wrong or how exactly to get back on the right path. Every sight was so beautiful that at one point I thought that I had even approached the summit. I thought, "How could any view be more beautiful than this?" But then I saw the lookout above me. I just didn't know how to get there. I was so close, yet so far! Eventually, I found my way back on the right course and made it to the lookout. Blessed with a rare clear day in Washington, the impressive view from the actual summit exceeded all of my expectations!
First Sunday of Advent
Since Thanksgiving is over and since black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Giving Tuesday are barely behind us, to talk about the end times again as the gospel reading does, is very difficult. Moreover, since we are at the beginning of the new liturgical year it is difficult for us to focus on the end times. In fact, I experienced ‘apocalyptical fatigue’ as reflected on today’s readings. The mood of the readings also contradicts the jovial, frolicking, almost playful tone that the secular world associates with Christmas. For a serious Christian too, advent is about a joyful expectation. So what shall we do about these readings that talk about being ready for the unexpected arrival of Christ?
First, the readings are not as misplaced as we think it might be. Even the very popular holiday song “Santa Claus is coming to town” has a warning attached to it. It says, “You better watch out!” This secular song reminds us that in the midst of all fun and frolic there is an ethical demand made on all of us. The song ends by asking us to “be good” even it is only for“goodness sake!”
Saturday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Appropriately, on this final day of the liturgical year, we have reflections about the apocalypse, or the second coming of Jesus. “Apocalypse” in Greek literally means “revelation” or “pulling back the veil” (Hence the title of the last book of the Bible). We generally talk about “revelation” as the way that God makes Himself known to us—in Scripture, through the Church, and preeminently in Jesus Himself.
Feast of Saint Andrew, Apostle
After two thousand years of Christian history, it is sometimes easy to forget what happened in the early years of Christianity. And it is easy to overlook the importance of people in previous times. Our lives as Christians are possible because of the witness of holy women and men throughout the ages who handed down the gospel of Jesus Christ to us. The scripture readings for today remind us of the importance of apostles and missionaries and their role in turning people’s attention to Christ.
Thursday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
As we come to the end of the liturgical year before the beginning of Advent, we continue to have readings from the book of Revelation as well as hear of the second coming of Christ in today’s gospel from Luke. Perhaps to the disappointment of some, the book of Revelation is not a prediction of when or even how the end of the world will come. It was written to bring hope to the persecuted Christians through proclaiming God’s justice and ultimate victory over evil in history. Scripture scholars tell us that the symbolic or “coded” language was used by the author of Revelation to criticize the Roman emperor and empire in a way that would not necessarily put his readers at risk of persecution or even death at that time.
Wednesday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
As the liturgical year comes to a close our readings continue the theme of the end times. At this moment, many people have been focusing on the literal end times. Thousands of people have been contacting NASA and visiting the NASA website to find out if the winter solstice will be the true end of the world. Many already understand that we can look at the end of the Mayan calendar in a similar way we look at the end of our yearly liturgical or secular calendars. The end is a way to ritualize that a period of time has passed. In the Catholic Church this emphasis has a liturgical focus on the end times. These end times metaphorically remind us of our own literal endings.