Happy to be entering this season of hopeful waiting and anticipation of the coming of Christ. I always loved St. Bernard of Clairveaux catechesis on the 3 comings of Christ. Quite a lot to reflect on the intermediary coming... our opportunity to make room in our own hearts for Christ to come there and reign in our lives. I pray this advent I can replace the security I place in myself, money, affections and other wordly things with complete trust and security in Jesus Christ Happy Advent! https://www.crossroadsinitiative.com/media/articles/three-comings-of-the-lord-st-bernard/
Excited and happy to have entered Advent. I was saying the Third Joyful Mystery of the Rosary, the Nativity yesterday and it seemed to take fire.
This arrived in my in box this morning. It moved me a lot. I've struggled this Advent. Im struggling in this week just befire Christmas. I know there should be joy and anticipation but im just feeling loss. My heart is sad over what has been lost this past year- my abilities to move, my job, my wifes health, and greatest of all my dear sister in law. But, this little blog post, which created a torrent of unexpected tears, shows me Jesus is near. And yes, He carries the sufferings with me. i know so many here also carry heavy crosses. Year ends can sometimes be hard so I hope this little blog post helps you too. God is Good! Joy in Pain By Fr. Steve Ryan, SDB We have arrived at the Third Sunday of Advent. This week the Church reminds us to be joyful because Jesus is coming to us. When Jesus is here all is well. We are actually at peace, joyful. We light the pink candle on the Advent wreath to symbolize our joy. The joy is not some kind of exuberance that everything in our lives is perfect, but rather that we trust that Christ is here and near. He’s with us – no matter what is going on or what is happening. We remind ourselves as Christmas approaches that His love and His coming to us are more powerful and beautiful than all the pain, challenges and anxieties that pile up in our daily life. We are reminded that when Christ is in our hearts, things are going to be okay – better than okay. Jesus is near and Jesus is here. Truly understanding and believing that reality brings great peace and hope. It’s like: “My Lord and Savior loves me and wants to enter into my life right now. Right now, in December of 2025.” That’s the storyline. But… do we believe it? Do we know it? Do we truly experience it? When we understand that our Lord and Savior loves each one of us and is here in our midst right now, then we understand the meaning of the Feast of the Nativity. This joy is so intense that even when things go terribly wrong… or a series of ridiculous things happens to us… or some big misunderstandings or injustices occur… we don’t lose heart. The presence of our Lord Jesus in our life is so dominant that we will not run toward anxiety or bitterness, nor sin and anger, nor depression or addiction – even amidst problems that come our way. This week Archbishop Shaw High School lost its final football game at the Louisiana High School Championship in the Superdome. The loss came in dramatic and traumatic fashion. Needless to say, many of us at Shaw feel awful. The loss was at the last second and it was stunning. Needless to say, many of us in the Salesian family here feel a stabbing pain in our hearts. An unexpected turn of events snatched victory and turned it into defeat. However, we all can learn from it and grow from it. In life we are all going to be faced with disappointing outcomes to our plans and dreams. Unexpected and tragic things happen. We will experience loss, hurt, rejection, disappointment and pain. These moments are an opportunity for life lessons. When you experience a painful situation which you must accept, then, accept it. There is no way around it even when it abruptly rocks your world. I was very happy to see how the boys and the coaches at Shaw were ready to move forward after the game and not wallow in self-pity. They remain steadfast and hopeful by holding onto Jesus and loving one another. They are not blaming one another nor whining or shutting down. They’re getting ready for a new day, a new week and even another football season next year. They have their midterm exams this week and began studying. They are helping around their homes by getting the Christmas decorations done for their families. They are catching up on their community service hours and some are preparing for a retreat in January. That’s how you have to deal with things in life. Remember: success is not final; failure is not fatal; it’s the courage to continue that counts. After Friday night’s game the sun came up on Saturday morning. And even more importantly, Jesus is here and near – even in the pain. He brings joy this third week of Advent. I was happy to hear laughter in the hallways here at school today. When these guys become old men, they very well may look back at this loss as one of the great blessings of their life. When they are forced to accept the loss of a loved one, a job, a friendship or a role that they were comfortable doing – it’s going to be easier for them. God is training them in resilience. Thank you, Lord, for giving us hard things to face – you are stretching us. Thank you also, Lord, for gently being with us in the pains we experience. You give us hope. We are joyful ‘cause you are here with us.
In today’s homily, Fr. Anthony offers another insight into human suffering (slightly paraphrased): “Don’t ask why. God is preparing you for something magnificent, either in this life or in the next, more than your expectations. If your cross in life does not make sense in human rationale terms, consider the truth from the divine perspective. Have faith in the God of the miracles, the God of the impossible.” Time stamp: 7:33–28:10 Below is the link to the collection of the Marian Fathers’ homilies. You can watch the video clips from the online Masses or listen to the podcasts: https://divinemercyplus.org/series/homilies-national-shrine The Marian Fathers (like all priests) are gifted by the Holy Spirit with different personal charisms: contemplative, inspiring, and so on. But all of them demonstrate their profound love for Mother Mary and deep reverence for Our Lord, particularly in the consecration. When elevating the host and the chalice, they take time to gaze at Jesus in adoration.
I always love the Christmas meditation of Padre Pio , it is the best ever. Padre Pio's Christmas Meditation Far into the night, at the coldest time of the year, in a chilly grotto, more suitable for a flock of beasts than for humans, the promised Messiah – Jesus – the savior of mankind, comes into the world in the fullness of time. There are none who clamor around him: only an ox and an ass lending their warmth to the newborn infant; with a humble woman, and a poor and tired man, in adoration beside him. Nothing can be heard except the sobs and whimpers of the infant God. And by means of his crying and weeping he offers to the Divine justice the first ransom for our redemption. He had been expected for forty centuries; with longing sighs the ancient Fathers had implored his arrival. The sacred scriptures clearly prophesy the time and the place of his birth, and yet the world is silent and no one seems aware of the great event. Only some shepherds, who had been busy watching over their sheep in the meadows, come to visit him. Heavenly visitors had alerted them to the wondrous event, inviting them to approach his cave. So plentiful, O Christians, are the lessons that shine forth from the grotto of Bethlehem! Oh how our hearts should be on fire with love for the one who with such tenderness was made flesh for our sakes! Oh how we should burn with desire to lead the whole world to this lowly cave, refuge of the King of kings, greater than any worldly palace, because it is the throne and dwelling place of God! Let us ask this Divine child to clothe us with humility, because only by means of this virtue can we taste the fullness of this mystery of Divine tenderness. Glittering were the palaces of the proud Hebrews. Yet, the light of the world did not appear in one of them. Ostentatious with worldly grandeur, swimming in gold and in delights, were the great ones of the Hebrew nation; filled with vain knowledge and pride were the priests of the sanctuary. In opposition to the true meaning of Divine revelation, they awaited an officious savoir, who would come into the world with human renown and power. But God, always ready to confound the wisdom of the world, shatters their plans. Contrary to the expectations of those lacking in Divine wisdom, he appears among us in the greatest abjection, renouncing even birth in St. Joseph's humble home, denying himself a modest abode among relatives and friends in a city of Palestine. Refused lodging among men, he seeks refuge and comfort among mere animals, choosing their habitation as the place of his birth, allowing their breath to give warmth to his tender body. He permits simple and rustic shepherds to be the first to pay their respects to him, after he himself informed them, by means of his angels, of the wonderful mystery. Oh wisdom and power of God, we are constrained to exclaim – enraptured along with your Apostle – how incomprehensible are your judgments and unsearchable your ways! Poverty, humility, abjection, contempt, all surround the Word made flesh. But we, out of the darkness that envelops the incarnate Word, understand one thing, hear one voice, perceive one sublime truth: you have done everything out of love, you invite us to nothing else but love, speak of nothing except love, give us naught except proofs of love. The heavenly babe suffers and cries in the crib so that for us suffering would be sweet, meritorious and accepted. He deprives himself of everything, in order that we may learn from him the renunciation of worldly goods and comforts. He is satisfied with humble and poor adorers, to encourage us to love poverty, and to prefer the company of the little and simple rather than the great ones of the world. This celestial child, all meekness and sweetness, wishes to impress in our hearts by his example these sublime virtues, so that from a world that is torn and devastated an era of peace and love may spring forth. Even from the moment of his birth he reveals to us our mission, which is to scorn that which the world loves and seeks. Oh let us prostrate ourselves before the manger, and along with the great St. Jerome, who was enflamed with the love of the infant Jesus, let us offer him all our hearts without reserve. Let us promise to follow the precepts which come to us from the grotto of Bethlehem, which teach us that everything here below is vanity of vanities, nothing but vanity. http://www.sanpadrepio.com/PadrePioChristmas.htm
Christmas always seems to creep up on us but this year it feels like Advent has been like an express train. Years and years ago I opted out of the usual Christmas things. No presents or cards, no parties and this year no decorations. No big food deal. On my own with the Holy Family, the saints and angels. So since I do not really have anything materially to do I suppose Christmas rushing up on me makes little odds. Have I learnt anything this Advent? I think one thing that Padre Pio taught and that was the sufferings of the Holy Family. On the way to Bethlehem and when they got there. Most of all from folks who actively would have and wanted to kill them. They had to kind float relying on God's providence. Total, total trust.
At mass last night I glanced over and saw the most magnificent huge statue of St Joseph with the child Jesus. It must have been about ten feet tall and beautifully done. But there is one thing about Saint Joseph and the Arcangel St Michael that strikes me is their littleness. To me they seem as small and innocent as little children. No artist ever catches this. But if you notice the accounts in different Apparitions the angel that comes appears as a little child. The angel of Peace at Fatima and the Angel of the Miraculous Medal in Paris. https://childrenoftheeucharist.org/message-of-fatima/introduction-apparitions-angel-peace/
A Nation the kills its own young and old is a Nation that has committed suicide and lies under the Judgement of the Most Just God. He may appear to delay in carrying out this Judgement as men see it, but carry it out He will. When Herod killed the Holy Innocents he also killed Israel.
Exactly!! I don't understand when ppl are going to wake up - IVF, the morning after pill, abortion & artificial contraception are pure evil. You get these Christian influencers who say they are staunch pro-lifers, but have conceived via IVF. I have to hold back writing anything because the influencer Brittany Dawn used IVF to conceive & she's very pro-life. She's not Catholic & I understand they may not know, but still surely they'd research? On Instagram I said IVF is abortion & other Christians have said how is it? I told them what happens, hopefully they'll understand how evil IVF is. Plus, ppl use IVF to give same sex couples a baby...
Ughhhh how horrible. The only reason why I hold back saying anything on Instagram to these Christian influencers who use IVF is because of the internet trolls. However, a lot of other Christians don't agree with it either. A friend told me of a man who wanted to be sperm donor so he could be a father to lots of children.
Please fill in the blank: This Christmas, I will give _______ as a birthday present to the Infant Jesus.
Matthew 1:18-24 An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph'... St Joseph and the Christ Child, Painted by Doménikos Theotokópoulos, most widely known as El Greco (1541-1614), Painted circa 1600 Oil on canvas © Museo de Santa Cruz, Toledo Gospel Reading Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to send her away quietly. But as he considered these things, behold,an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.’ All this took place to fulfil what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: ‘Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel’ — which means, God with us. When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife.
I can't believe Christmas is right on top of us. In terms of graces I suspect a lot of it is a case of what we put in we get out. Advent is a time of spiritual preparation from Christmas , just as Lent is a time of preparation for Easter. If we don't do the prep... This morning, first thing I listened to a talk from Gavin Ashenden on dreams, especially the dream of St Joseph and the angel. Gavin said fro a long period he could not sleep and he worried so much about it he was afraid he was going mad. Then a wise priest told him that maybe God was keeping him awake to pray. This eased his fears and he started praying the rosary when awake and wound up sleeping much better. He also said of the need for protection before we sleep against harm an attack. I was interested in all this and today's Gospel reading on the dream of St Joseph. For last night I dreamt I was in a dentist chair and the dentist was pulling out all my teeth one by one. Not only was he pulling them out but he was doing do in a way to cause pain. Just before I woke I stared fully into the dentists face and realised he was a demon and that that this was a demonic attack. Angels are all over the place in Advent and the Christmas story. Sometimes people like Mary and Joseph have no problem accepting that they are dealing with angels. Sometimes not. Like Zechariah. We can sense almost anger in Gabriel's words about Zack giving him the thumbs down. I think good angels and bad angels are all over the place in our lives. It's just that like Zack we refuse to believe in them.
Just exactly what I needed to hear, and view this am. Have been having a great number of nightmares in the last while. I ignore them for the most part and have used some nightwakings to pray. Thanks for the prompting to pray for protection!!
