On this ‘Gaudete’ Sunday, the Scriptures are focused on rejoicing, joy, singing God’s praises.  So close to Christmas many of us might not be ‘feeling the joy’!  For everyone, whether focused on our personal spiritual growth and readiness for Christ or focused on the ‘busyness’ of the season, now is the time when we can get weary from our efforts, stresses, pressures, expectations and preparations!  

HOPE, is what we all need.  HOPE, is not about expecting what can not happen.  It is about trusting that God will provide what is necessary in order to bring us home.  

We HOPE for the coming of Christ more fully in our hearts, our lives, our families and the world.  

HOPE is what can help us receive the blessings that God has for us and face the challenges that come our way.  Can you think of anyone who might like to hear a message of HOPE and ENCOURAGEMENT, right now?  

Then now is the time to offer a prayer for them.  Now is the time to reach out and lend a hand, send some kind words in a card, an email or just call them up!  Is there anyone you know who might be feeling alone or shut in right now?  Then now is the time to beat a path to their door and bring them some cheer.  

​We are reflecting on the first coming Christ, His coming more fully in us and His second coming, but we should not forget that right at this moment we are Christ.  We are His hands and feet, His voice and His embrace in the lives of others.  Continue to REJOICE! Be a bearer of JOY! Let your whole being SING the GOOD NEWS and raise up the Spirit in all those you meet!

Ready or Not, He's coming...

When John the Baptist talks about repentance, he’s talking about conversion of heart and mind that leads to changes in our life choices. Authentic disciples of Christ are necessarily open to the fullness of the Grace of God which can be received in the Sacraments we receive, especially the one given for reconciliation through God's mercy and love. A fullness of grace which is intended to transform us. A transformation that will necessarily be seen, felt and desired by others. The true sign of conversion is in our actions. It would be an illusion if we believed that just because we have received these sacraments, we are safe on judgment day.
 
We are being called to get it straight before we die or before He comes again.  This season of advent could be a wake up call for some and a tune up for others.  I’m sure it would make sense if I said it was necessary to do periodic tune ups on your car to make certain that it functions like it should and as efficiently as it should.  Doesn’t it make more even more sense that we need to do periodic spiritual tune ups?
 
Hopefully everyone is getting increasingly focused on their spiritual health and preparedness, as we continue into the second week of Advent.  There are so many traditional and new ways to approach this season of the year whether you are a young adult, a family, a couple whose kids have moved to their own homes, or a single person.  One really cool idea I read about, can be especially meaningful and helps to build the habit of prayer.  While wrapping gifts reflect and share openly about that person and then when you put on the bow or tag, offer a prayer for them for the coming year or maybe for a particular need that they have at this time of year.