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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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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Study: When have I been swift to respond to the needs of others? When have I been slow?
Pray: Ask the Lord for the clarity of sight to perceive the real needs within my reach.
Serve: Don’t wait…do!
Mass Readings – 1st Sunday of Advent
A Christmas Carol
Part I: Marley’s Warning
Every year I enjoy rereading the holiday story A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. I watch as many different movie and drama adaptations as I can, and I find in this simple tale much wisdom and insight.
The story recounts the life of Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserable old man who is visited on Christmas Eve by the ghost of his business partner, Jacob Marley. Marley informs Scrooge that he will be visited by three ghosts who will show him the error of his ways. During the visits we discover the story of Scrooge’s life, feeling both pity and anger at the circumstances and choices that have shaped him. As Scrooge slowly changes, he finally discovers the joy and spirit of Christmas – just in time for Christmas Day.
The ghost of Marley begins this amazing process. Marley is a wretched creature, wrapped in bandages and shackled by chains and heavy money boxes. His words to Scrooge are direct and without comfort: he must change his ways or suffer a fate worse than Marley’s.
Marley reminds Scrooge that the business of life is far greater than the work in their money counting house:
“Mankind was my business.
The common welfare was my business;
charity, mercy, forbearance and benevolence
were all my business.
The dealings of my trade
were but a drop of water
in the comprehensive ocean of my business!”
This warning speaks to us as well. Every day we pass through life amid opportunities to serve and love others. Yet preoccupation can take us away from the deeper issues of life, separating us from the very people and events that can lead us into blessed happiness.
As we prepare our hearts during this Advent season, may we take Marley’s warning to heart. We, too, must journey through this life, reaching out to those placed on our path. May we be vigilant, waiting for the day when Jesus will return. May we share the gift of our lives, anticipating the Christmas joy that awaits us.
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Note: This post was first published on November 25, 2014.
The angel Gabriel tells Mary to “be not afraid” as she hears the news of her role in salvation history. In our moments of doubt and fear may we follow Mary’s example and turn to the Lord with renewed faith, asking for the grace and strength we need to face our challenges with God’s guidance.
Mass Readings – 4th Sunday of Advent
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Luke’s Gospel recounts the naming of John the Baptist, and once again we see how his life served to highlight the coming of Christ. As we prepare to bring this Advent season to a close, may we discern the opportunities we have to direct others to Jesus.
Mass Readings – Saturday of the 3rd Week of Advent
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Catholic Inspiration – Podcast Archives of Homilies & Talks
Three Great Things 