Posts Tagged ‘Advent’
Christ “Advents”(Comes)in People
I came across this suggestion in a devotional book: “For the next thirty days, treat everyone you encounter as the most important person in the world.” That is how Jesus treated people. Seeing everyone as a VIP can be quite a challenge. It ties in with our Advent season in which we focus on the…
Read MoreIdeas for Observing Advent
We are in the first week of Advent. Already! The word advent means “coming,” and during Advent we reflect on and prepare for the three comings of Christ: in history in Bethlehem, in mystery every day in the Eucharist and in others, and in majesty at the end of time. While engaged in the flurry…
Read MoreAdvent Overshadowing of the Holy Spirit
The three so-called Advent figures are the Blessed Virgin Mary (of course), John the Baptist (the Lord’s precursor), and the prophet Isaiah (who spoke of the Messiah and God’s kingdom). To my thinking, the predominant Person was omitted from this line up, namely, the Holy Spirit. Yes, the Father sent the Son to save humankind,…
Read MoreAdventing in Advent
It’s the night before a new post goes up, and I just discovered that I forgot to set this one for last week at the top of the list. So for the sake of those who didn’t see it, here it is again this week! As a teacher, I presented Advent as the season to…
Read MoreThoughts on Advent
Father Tom Weber gave this homily during Advent one year. I like the twist at the end. A couple of months ago, I went over to the Department of Motor Vehicles bureau in Mayfield Heights. I took a seat along the wall and after a while, a clerk asked me, “What are you waiting for?”…
Read MoreOur Extravagant God: Rejoice!
During this third week of Advent dedicated to rejoicing, I invite you to ponder the incredible extravagance of our great God. First of all is the fact that God chose to enter our world as a baby. He could have appeared as an emperor or at least a full-grown rabbi, but, no, God does the…
Read MoreFear Not!
Fr. Cedric Pisegna, a Passionist priest, posted the following prayer on Facebook recently. In the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season and perhaps as you live through the illness or death of loved ones, you might find the words helpful. “Dear Lord, sometimes I feel like I am imprisoned by my fears. I fear…
Read MoreBe at Peace: God’s in Control
The photo of the sunrise here was one I took from the balcony of my new apartment. The following reflection that came with the Daily Gospel email for Thanksgiving reminded me of it. (I subscribed to dailygospel.org.) May the Saint’s words touch your heart somehow. Saint Raphael Arnaiz Baron (1911-1938) Spanish Trappist monk Spiritual writings,…
Read MoreAdvent Is Coming!
Our Blessed Mother is an ideal companion as we live through the days of Advent, which this year begins Sunday, December 2. For four weeks we wait for her Son, but Mary waited for nine months! Imagine what that time must have been like for her. She had never been a mother before, and hers…
Read MoreOur Lady of Guadalupe, Protector of the Unborn
In honor of the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, I’m reprising a post about her story. This should be of interest to all because under this title, the Blessed Mother is the patroness of the Americas, both North and South. In addition, she is relevant today when abortion is an acceptable practice, for Mary…
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