Posted in Ordinary Time, Reflections on Scripture, tagged Abundance, bible, christianity, Genorisity, Gratitude, jesus, Joy, Lectio Divina, Ordinary Time, Prayer, Reflection on the Gospel on August 30, 2025| Leave a Comment »
Do the best you can with what you have. It painted contrasting pictures of two different perspectives. One sees limitations scarcity and responds with fear and resentment. The other sees opportunity and abundance and responds with gratitude and generosity.
May I see opportunity and abundance and respond with gratitude, and generosity so that I can experience joy.
Posted in Advent, Reflections from Other Writers and Speakers, Reflections on Scripture, tagged Advent, bible, christianity, Faith, hope, jesus, Joy, Prayer, Reflections on Scripture, Reflections on the Mass Readings, Rejoicing, Relationship with God, Relationships on December 11, 2024| Leave a Comment »
I generally think of the readings for this season being about God’s people rejoicing because God is with them, drawing them close. I especially think this about the readings for the third week of Advent. Or I did until I actually read the passages.
This week’s first reading says that God rejoices in God’s people. The psalm reflects what I expect to read in this week’s readings. Together, the readings describe the relationship between God and God’s people.
The epistle describes how prayer strengthens that relationship. It’s a relationship that needs trust, openness, and gratitude to thrive. It’s a relationship that when nurtured, calms anxieties and prompts rejoicing. It’s a relationship that spreads its qualities to other relationships. The gospel passage supports this message about the effects of a relationship with God on relationships with others. It also reminds me that my relationships with others, and indeed, with all of creation, affect the strength of my connection with God.
The strength of God’s love never changes. In other words, God never stops rejoicing over us because we are not our sins and shortcomings. We’re God’s children, expressions of God’s love. Imagine the connection between a person and God like the connection between two phones. God is represented by one of the phones, and God never cuts off communication. Rather, it’s the phones of our minds, hearts and souls that often don’t receive the strongest signals.
The truth of everything I typed above is just sitting on the surface of my consciousness. Lord, let Your love permeate my being.
What great wisdom in the Church’s tradition, to put a day for joy in this season of stillness, to remind us that joy comes when we slow down, when we accept silence and waiting and inactivity, and when we remember that everything good is a gift from God. Yes, indeed, Advent is a time for joy.
Kate Ward
Check out the full reflection on the readings for December 15th that includes this quote.
Lord, help me experience and share Your joy. Amen.
Posted in Advent, Reflections on Scripture, tagged Advent, bible, christianity, Encouragement, Faith, hope, jesus, Jesus Christ, Joy, Justice, Prayer, Reflections on Scripture on December 6, 2024| Leave a Comment »
The first reading for December 1st foretells the arrival of the long-promised Messiah. The passage from Jeremiah promises that the Messiah will “do what is right and just” (Jer. 33:15). People who trust Him and follow Him will be able to live in safety and security.
The psalm for December 1st recognizes that God has the qualities described in the first reading. It also describes how those who trust God and follow God reflect those same qualities.
The epistle urges readers and listeners to treat each other with charity, as they have been taught to do. It calls us to be more and more vigilant in looking for opportunities to act with charity.
In the gospel passage, Jesus foretells that there will come a time when the world as we know it will be “shaken” (Luke 21:26). He says the events of this time will cause people to “die of fright” (Luke 21:26). But, he says, this doesn’t need to be the fate of His disciples. He teaches them that when they find themselves in the midst of disturbing events, He is near. “[R]edemption is at hand” (Luke 21:28). He says His spiritual family members will be prepared to receive this redemption if they keep returning to His teachings. They must also return to His example whenever life’s distractions, whether pleasant or worrisome, tempt them to lose sight of His Way. He reminds them that prayer is the source of focus and strength in the face of temptations and trials.
For me, the Old Testament reading for December 8th paints a beautiful word picture of the effect God’s salvation and the arrival of the Messiah will have on God’s people. Like the previous week’s Old Testament passage, the one chosen for December 8th is written in future tense.
The psalm selection for December 8th, in contrast, is written in past tense. The first two stanzas would fittingly describe the people’s reaction to the events foretold in the Old Testament reading. There is “laughter” and “rejoicing” (Psalm 126:2). People who trust in God will be lifted up, and everything will be made right. The visibility of the people’s joy gives glory to God, even among those who do not know the God of Israel, as well as the peoples who have been comforted, cared for, and freed by God. The third and fourth stanzas ask for God’s continued care. The narrator trusts that even in difficult circumstances, when he can’t see the fruits of his faith, it will, nonetheless, bear fruit.
In the epistle for December 8th, St. Paul writes to the Philippians about the content of his prayer. He writes about expressing joy in his prayer. His joy comes from the work the Philippians do with him for the sake of the gospel. He describes the affection he has for the recipients of this letter. He conveys that he experiences them not only as coworkers, but as as friends and family members brought together by Christ’s love. He assures them that God, who began the work of salvation in them will continue it and complete it. He prays that they continue to grow in “knowledge… perception” and “discern[ment]… the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God” (Phil. 1:9-11).
The Gospel passage for December 8 echoes the message of the Old Testament passage for the day and prepares to point to Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of the promises of both passages.
Combined, the message of the readings for these two weeks is that justice and security are coming. Don’t give up on this promise. Insist on believing that it’s possible with God. Keep looking for it — no matter how long it takes for you to see its fulfillment. While you cling to this promise, make room for each other. Make room for joy.
I feel called to more stillness and fewer words this Advent. I desire more focus, more intimacy with God — maybe more spontaneity with God.
So starting next week, I plan to focus on one passage. I may even concentrate on one word or phrase within the passage. The passage may even be one that’s not part of the Sunday readings. Maybe adjustments such as these will give me more time to sit with the divinely inspired words and to reflect on what they mean for me at the moment. Maybe this approach will allow me to do more listening to what God has to say to me. When I share what I hear, maybe you’ll be able to relate.
Valerie D. Lewis-Mosley, RN, OPA reflects on the theological theme for the first Sunday of Advent: hope.
Colleen McCahill reflects on how, in the epistle for December 8th, St. Paul finds light in darkness. She also reflects on how Advent encourages us to seek light in times of darkness. It is a season that helps us do so.
Lord, help me to seek and to find light amid the darkness that I experience around me and within me. Help me not to fear the brightness of the light but instead to let its fire shape me. Help me to follow the path it illuminates — the path of hope. Amen.
Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc. “1st Sunday of Advent — Sunday 1 December 2024: Readings at Mass.” The New American Bible, 2001. Universalis for Windows, Version 2.196, Universalis Publishing Ltd., 6 Nov. 2024, https://universalis.com/n-app-windows.htm.
—. “2nd Sunday of Advent — Sunday 8 December 2024: Readings at Mass.” The New American Bible, 2001. Universalis for Windows, Version 2.196, Universalis Publishing Ltd., 6 Nov. 2024, https://universalis.com/n-app-windows.htm.
Sitting with the Sacred 