“Now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah, and entering the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Then she spoke […]
My wife and I sat on the couch, the room dark except for a strand of colored lights wound around the Christmas tree and the flickering candles in the Advent wreath. We’d just finished reading our Advent reflection and saying the Rosary. Now we sat together and watched snow swirl outside the window. This time […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion Mass Readings: 1st Reading: Isaiah 7:10-14 Responsorial: Psalm 24:1-6 2nd Reading: Romans 1:1-7 Gospel: Matthew 1:18-24 Advent, A Season of Signs of the Coming of Emmanuel, God-with-Us Ask for a sign from the Lord. (Isaiah 7:11) Things were looking bad for King Ahaz of Jerusalem. He was […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion Mass Readings: 1st Reading: Isaiah 11:1-10 2nd Reading: Romans 15:4-9 Responsorial: Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17 Gospel: Matthew 3:1-12 Advent, A Season of Prophesies Being Fulfilled A shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse. (Isaiah 11:1) Have you ever seen a Jesse Tree? It’s an ancient […]
There is more to Christmas than just Christ’s birth. It serves as the beginning of an epic, and Advent is the prologue whereby we prepare for the first spellbinding chapter. There’s a thread running through Christmas that ties into so many other Christological elements, including Christ as Divine Lover, in concert with the poetry of […]
First Sunday of Advent Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion Mass Readings: 1st Reading: Isaiah 2:1-5 2nd Reading: Romans 13:11-14 Responsorial: Psalm 122:1-9 Gospel: Matthew 24:37-44 Advent, A Season of Preparing for Jesus’ Coming You also must be prepared. (Matthew 24:44) This is it—we have lit the first Advent candle. Christmas is less […]
