Our Lady Of Victory

Advent is a time of waiting and hoping, of renewing our trust in God’s mercifullove and care, and of reflecting on the several comings (advents), of Christ into our lives. Besides Jesus’ first coming at birth, we are asked to reflect on Christ’s coming as the risen Lord at Easter, in the Sacraments (especially the Eucharist), in our everyday lives, at the moment of death, and at the end of human history (the second coming). Preparing for Advent goes beyond…

Mrs. Jones told her 1st graders to draw a picture of something for which they were thankful. She thought since they all came from poor backgrounds, they would draws turkeys, lavish foods or a dinner table. When she went through them, she saw what she expected except for one picture. A little quiet boy simply drew a hand. The class was intrigued and they kept guessing whose hand it was. Maybe God’s as He gives us everything. Maybe the farmers…

A few years ago, I started praying the Examen every evening before going to bed. It’s a prayer practice that was pioneered by Saint Ignatius of Loyola in his compilation, The Spiritual Exercises. It involves, among other things, reflecting on the events of your day and noticing where you felt God’s presence and action in order to discern God’s will for you. I am routinely amazed by how much of my day I skim over without much consideration until I…