Posts from December 2024

Happy New Year! Today we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family. We need to learn lessons from the Holy Family: The Church encourages us to look to the Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph for inspiration, example and encouragement. They were a model family in which both parents worked hard, helped each other, understood and accepted each other, and took good care of their Child so that He might grow up not only in human knowledge but also as…

I’m writing this week’s message from my hospital room. All the while I’m thinking what will the doctor tell me, what will I have to do, and how long will I be here. Then I look out the window, see the snow, and think of Christmas. How Joseph and Mary were told “no room in the inn.” and had to stay in a stable to give birth to Jesus Christ. Then later having to flee the country because Herod wanted…

On this third Sunday of the Advent season, Gaudete Sunday, we are encouraged to rejoice. Maybe “encouraged” isn’t strong enough, but “obliged” seems too heavy-handed. We are exhorted to shout and sing by the prophet Zephaniah, urged to exult and give thanks by the psalmist, and practically begged to rejoice by Saint Paul, who insists on saying it twice. Why this imperative? Remember, it’s not an emotion that’s required of us nor a simple attitude adjustment either. What’s obliged is…

Today’s Gospel quotes Isaiah the prophet: “Prepare the way of the Lord.” This is our directive during this Advent season. But we need to remember not only to prepare for the Lord’s birth at Christmas, but to prepare and be ready for His second coming at the end of time. We all prepare to celebrate Christmas. It could be simple everyday things such as decorating, sending greeting cards, preparing special family meals, buying presents or wishing someone a Merry Christmas.…