Jesus reveals how God looks at us in our wounded and vulnerable state. Seeking what is lost and rejoicing when found, the Lord thus teaches us how to relate to one another.
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 2nd Week of Advent
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Catholic Inspiration Archives
Study: Who are the messengers in my life? Who are the people who have alerted me to blessings and burdens in my life?
Pray: Ask the Lord for the openness to hear these messengers and take their words to heart.
Serve: Who in my life and I called to offer a message? What do I need to say…and what do they need to hear?
Mass Readings – 3rd Sunday of Advent
A Christmas Carol
Part III: The Spirits of Christmas
The Spirits of Christmas play a crucial role in Scrooge’s conversion. Their task is to show images of Christmas throughout time, revealing how the holiday is filled with blessings. In the images they reveal Scrooge learns the error of his ways, as feelings of guilt, remorse, anger, and sadness wash over him as he watches the effects of his life choices.
It is important to note that the three Spirits of Christmas are messengers. They are the heralds who reveal to Scrooge the meaning of Christmas. Yet they are not the holiday itself. Their presence in the story points to the power of our choices – where our words and actions over time make tremendous effects upon our life. As Scrooge discovers how his life might have been, he begins to yearn for a better and happier one.
In the Gospel this week we discover another messenger. John the Baptist arrives, baptizing people and proclaiming God’s wonderful deeds. People flock around him, inspired by his words and longing for hope.
As the crowds come to John they ask him, “What should we do?” as they pursue their lives. To each John answers with justice and fairness. He speaks with power and might, filling the people with expectation.
Many begin to wonder if he is the Christ. John answers immediately: NO! There is one coming who is mightier. John is merely the messenger, pointing the way to Jesus.
Like the crowds, we may often find ourselves looking for those who bring hope. We may discover in life an unhappiness, a dissatisfaction with ourselves and the choices we have made. We look to many remedies, yet we know in our hearts that our longing will only be satisfied by God alone.
Perhaps their are people in our lives that have a message for us to hear; may we be open to their words and take them to heart – trusting that their insights can help us on the journey of life.
Perhaps their are people in our lives that we are called to offer a message; may we have the courage to speak up – offering and directing others to insights that can help them embrace the power and beauty of life.
During these last few days of Advent, may we recognize in our lives the messengers sent by God to announce the Good News of Christ. As we prepare our hearts for the Lord’s coming, we have the opportunity to look within and discern the path we have taken through life. We can ask “What should we do?” as the challenges of life appear. May we trust that the Lord will make His will known to us, inviting us to follow with full and open hearts.
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Catholic Inspiration Archives
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Note: This post was first published on December 8, 2014.
In every age people find themselves looking for hope as they face the challenges and battles of life. Jesus Christ is the foundation of our hope, inspiring us to seek out the Lord in our lives and discerning how we can share our hope with one another.
Mass Readings – 2nd Sunday of Advent
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Mary’s response to the angel Gabriel reveals her role in God’s plan for our salvation. Chosen by the Lord, she offers us an example of faithfulness that inspires us every day to say yes to God’s call for our lives.
Mass Readings – Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the BVM
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How strong is our faith in the Lord? Do we see Jesus at work in our lives? Two blind men in the Gospel of Matthew teach us today how to call upon the Lord in our blindness as we trust in Christ’s guidance every day.
Mass Readings – Friday of the 1st Week of Advent
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Jesus reminds his disciples that when our actions match the words of our faith we build our lives on a foundation which can weather the storms of life.
Mass Readings – Thursday of the 1st Week of Advent
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The Gospel of Matthew reveals the heart of Jesus – filled with pity for the crowds – and helps us understand how the Lord looks at us, especially when we are weak, wounded, lost and struggling. May this scripture passage give us hope to return to the Lord once again in our need, and trust in his boundless love.
Mass Readings – Wednesday of 1st Advent
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The prophet Isaiah offers a vision of hope that will happen when all people are drawn to the Lord’s mountain. Jesus echoes this sentiment when he tells the disciples that they are blessed by what they see and hear…reminding us to keep our eyes fixed on Heaven as we journey here on earth.
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 1st Week of Advent
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Study: Recall a time when someone was a source of hope in your life. How were they present to you?
Pray: Are there situations or circumstances that are difficult right now? Ask the Lord for the gift of hope to see how to proceed.
Serve: How can you be a source of hope to another? Who do you know right now that can be strengthened by your presence?
Mass Readings – 2nd Sunday of Advent
A Christmas Carol
Part II: People of Hope
There are a wide variety of people in the story who live with a sense of the Christmas spirit. They come from many walks of life, with different abilities and skills, yet their genuine understanding of the greater meaning of Christmas makes them excellent examples for us all.
Perhaps it’s Scrooge’s nephew, Fred. Wishing “Merry Christmas, Uncle Ebenezer!” even when he knows it will result in “Bah, Humbug!” – Fred reminds us that hope continues even when life suggests that all is lost.
We see in the Cratchit family an honest desire to make do with what life has to offer. Their affection for one another is not dependent on money or gifts, but stems from the life they have built together. The relish each others joys and feel each others sorrows – living for each other.
Maybe it’s old Fezziwig, the joyous master under whom Scrooge apprenticed. With his love for food, dance and song, Fezziwig gathered his employees and neighbors in a festive celebration of life.
Scrooge’s sister, Fan, turns out to be a gentle soul who shows great affection and concern for her older brother. Her life, though short, was marked by the sincere love that leaves a lasting and powerful impression.
Let’s not forget Tiny Tim, the little boy who looked at life as a rich blessing even though his crippled frame prevented him from living like other children. His spirit, it seems, was far larger than the limits which his body would offer; and his crutch becomes a sign of the weaknesses we all must endure at different times in life.
All of these people stand in contrast to Scrooge. They find in life reasons to hope – not because everything is always fine or comfortable. They proclaim, through their words and actions, a message that brings strength and joy. For in the midst of their struggles they recognize that there is something greater, something which is coming into the world.
Like John the Baptist, we are able to proclaim the presence of the Lord in our lives. We announce that God is near. As we discover the Lord among us, may we proclaim a message of hope to all we meet.
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Note: This post was first published on December 1, 2014.
We have the gift of this short, powerful season of Advent to heed the message of God’s love in the person of Jesus Christ. Are we ready? This is the time to take the message to heart and put it into practice.
Mass Readings – 1st Season of Advent
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Catholic Inspiration – Podcast Archives of Homilies & Talks
Three Great Things 