Thoughts on Advent

Reflection for First Sunday of Advent



Each Advent, as we look forward to celebrating the coming of Jesus, our savior and shepherd, we begin to prepare—amidst the usual reminders of tasks and projects that always seem to ramp up at this time of year.

This First Sunday of Advent, with its scripture readings and prayers, offers us the opportunity to ponder the promises that God has made to us and all of creation: to raise up for us a redeemer who comes as an infant but brings the fulness of the power of love.

Our Gospel passage with its description of the final events is not meant to frighten us, but to encourage and strengthen us. Amid whatever turmoil there might be, Jesus says “Stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption (release) is at hand—the promise of a release from being absorbed with the difficulties, suffering, and defeat that seem to plague this human world of ours.

Advent can revive for us a promise—a covenant: God in the coming of Jesus says to us: “I will never let go of you!”

 So, as St. Paul proclaims, “May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all” Our Advent time can be a time when our loving God shows us the way and guides us to humbly give thanks for God’s gifts of deep love and promise.

Len Kraus, S.J.

Thoughts on Thanksgiving

 

The History and Religious Theme of Thanksgiving

                        By Microsoft CoPilot

 

Thanksgiving, a cherished American holiday, traces its origins to the early 17th century when English Pilgrims and Native Americans came together to celebrate a successful harvest. This historical event, often referred to as the "First Thanksgiving," took place in 1621 at Plymouth Colony (in what is now Massachusetts). The Pilgrims, having endured a harsh first winter in the New World, were grateful for the assistance of the Wampanoag people, who taught them vital agricultural techniques. Together, they held a three-day feast to give thanks for the bountiful harvest and their newfound friendship.

While the First Thanksgiving is a cornerstone of American folklore, the establishment of Thanksgiving as a national holiday evolved over centuries. Various colonies and states celebrated their own days of thanks. It wasn't until 1863 that President Abraham Lincoln, amidst the turmoil of the Civil War, proclaimed a national Thanksgiving Day to be held each November. This proclamation sought to unify the nation and encourage gratitude and reflection.

The religious theme of Thanksgiving is rooted in the Judeo-Christian tradition of giving thanks to God for blessings received. This theme is reflected in the holiday's emphasis on gratitude, communal gatherings, and prayer. Many families observe Thanksgiving by attending religious services or offering prayers of thanks during their meals. The holiday serves as a reminder to recognize and appreciate the abundance in one's life, fostering a spirit of humility and gratitude.

In contemporary society, Thanksgiving transcends its religious origins, becoming a secular celebration embraced by people of diverse faiths and backgrounds. The essence of the holiday remains centered on giving thanks and celebrating the blessings of family, friends, and the harvest. It encourages a sense of community and unity, inviting individuals to reflect on their blessings and extend generosity to those in need.

Thanksgiving's rich history and religious themes continue to resonate, making it a beloved holiday that brings people together in a spirit of gratitude and fellowship.

What are you thankful for this year?

Thoughts on community

 

Waiting in Community

Christian community is the place where we keep the flame of hope alive among us and take it seriously so that it can grow and become stronger in us. In this way we can live with courage, trusting that there is a spiritual power in us when we are together that allows us to live in this world without surrendering to the powerful forces constantly seducing us toward despair. That is how we dare to say that God is a God of love even when we see hatred all around us. That is why we can claim that God is a God of life even when we see death and destruction and agony all around us. We say it together. We affirm it in each other. Waiting together, nurturing what has already begun, expecting its fulfillment—that is the meaning of marriage, friendship, community, and the Christian life. Henri Nouwen

Thoughts on possessions

 

Luke 21: 1-4

Friends, today’s Gospel tells of the poor widow who gave her last penny to the temple treasury. Her behavior makes us consider our possessiveness. What do we tell ourselves all the time? That we’re not happy because we don’t have all the things that we should have or that we want to have. What follows from this is that life becomes a constant quest to get, to acquire, to attain possessions. Do you remember the parable about the foolish rich man? When his barns were filled with all his possessions, he decided to tear them down and build bigger ones. Why is he a fool? Because (and I want you to repeat this to yourself as I say it) you have everything you need right now to be happy.  What makes you happy is always right in front of you because what makes you happy is love. Love is willing the good of the other, opening yourself to the world around you. Love is not a feeling. It’s an act of the will. It is the great act of dispossession. Bishop Robert Barron

Thoughts on life after death

 

Luke 20: 27-40

Friends, today’s Gospel reports a conversation Jesus had with some of the Sadducees, who held that there is no life after death. We could practically hear their speech on the lips of secularists today. But Jesus is having none of it. The dead shall indeed rise, he says. Otherwise, how could Moses have spoken of God as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, all of whom were long dead by Moses’ time? But their risen existence, though in continuity, even bodily continuity, with what has gone before, will be transformed, transfigured, raised up.  Those who hold to the resurrection of the body are those who are most effective at working for justice and peace in this world. If you are a complete materialist and secularist, you hold that everything and everybody, in the end, just fades away. But if you believe in the resurrection of the body, then everything in this world is destined for redemption. Everything matters. Bishop Robert Barron

Thoughts on Christ the King

Christ the King

Sunday, November 24th, is the feast day entitled Christ the King. In all of  the gospels Christ refers to himself as a king only once.  And this is in the gospel passage we have for this Sunday (John 18 33-37). Pilate, very disturbed by the his enemies false claim that Jesus has referred to himself as a king, asks Jesus if he is the king of the Jews. In a way Jesus says yes and no: He is a king but his Kingdom is not of this world.

On other occasions his followers are so enthused about him that they begin to crowd upon him in order to make him their king. But Jesus somehow disappears and prevents this from happening.

As we reflect on the whole of Jesus life we realized that there was very little that one might consider as kingly or regally. The designation for himself that Jesus seemed to prefer was son of man. Moreover, he forewarned his companions that his role in life, his call, was to serve, not to be served. He also admonished his disciples, when they were worried about prestige and power, that the foremost among them would be the one who serves the others.

Just as Jesus disciples and followers very much needed to hear him say this, so down through the ages his subsequent followers and disciples have needed to hear this and take it to heart.

As I have grappled somewhat with the designation of Jesus as Christ the King, I have come across another title that is for me is perhaps more apropos, It is simply: Christ the Servant King.

A blessed Thanksgiving to you all.



 Jim Blumeyer, S.J.

Thoughts on worldly attachments

 

Luke 19: 41-44

Friends, in today’s Gospel passage, Jesus laments over Jerusalem because it failed to acknowledge him. He says, “They will smash you to the ground and your children within you, and they will not leave one stone upon another within you because you did not recognize the time of your visitation.” This is a thunderclap, a shock, a highly subversive thing to say. It would be something like a president-elect coming upon the White House in the midst of a crowd of his supporters and saying, “All of this will be destroyed.” But this is precisely what Jesus does here. I know I’ve said it to you before, but I will say it again, because it belongs to the heart of the Gospel and it is repeated by Jesus over and over again: nothing in this world lasts. Nothing in this world should, therefore, be the object of our deepest longings or of our most powerful commitments. The temple represented all of the glitter and glamor of this world, the best it can offer; and the people standing there, entranced by it, stand for all of us down through the ages who stand staring up at the goods of this world. So we must free ourselves from worldly attachments and live for God alone. Bishop Robert Barron

Thoughts on prayer

 

Why Pray?

Why should I spend an hour in prayer when I do nothing during that time but think about people I am angry with, people who are angry with me, books I should read, and books I should write, and thousands of other silly things that happen to grab my mind for a moment? The answer is: because God is greater than my mind and my heart and what is really happening in the house of prayer is not measurable in terms of human success and failure. What I must do first of all is to be faithful. If I believe that the first commandment is to love God with my whole heart, mind, and soul, then I should at least be able to spend one hour a day with nobody else but God. The question as to whether it is helpful, useful, practical, or fruitful is completely irrelevant, since the only reason to love is love itself. Everything else is secondary. The remarkable thing, however, is that sitting in the presence of God for one hour each morning—day after day, week after week, month after month—in total confusion and with myriad distractions radically changes my life. God, who loves me so much that he sent his only son not to condemn me but to save me, does not leave me waiting in the dark too long. I might think that each hour is useless, but after thirty or sixty or ninety such useless hours, I gradually realize that I was not as alone as I thought; a very small, gentle voice has been speaking to me far beyond my noisy place. So, be confident and trust in the Lord. Henri Nouwen

Thoughts on the Eucharist

 

The Catholic Belief in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist

 

In Catholic theology, the Eucharist is not merely a symbol but a profound mystery of faith where bread and wine become the actual body and blood of Jesus Christ. This belief, known as the doctrine of the Real Presence, is central to Catholic worship and has been upheld since the early Church.

The roots of this doctrine are found in the Scriptures. During the Last Supper, Jesus took bread and wine, gave thanks, and said, "This is my body... This is my blood" (Matthew 26:26-28). Catholics believe that through the words of consecration spoken by the priest during Mass, Jesus' presence becomes real and substantial, though the appearances of bread and wine remain.

The Real Presence is celebrated and encountered most intimately in the Eucharist, particularly during the Mass. Catholics believe that receiving the Eucharist nourishes the soul, strengthens the bond with Christ, and unites the faithful more deeply with the Church, the mystical body of Christ. This sacrament is viewed as a source of spiritual sustenance, providing grace and aiding in the transformation of the believer's life.

The Church teaches that the Eucharist is the "source and summit" of Christian life, a phrase from the Second Vatican Council. It means that all the Church's activities and ministries are grounded in and directed towards the Eucharist. It is a celebration of Christ's sacrificial love and His ongoing presence in the world.

Ultimately, the Catholic belief in the Real Presence underscores the profound mystery and beauty of God's willingness to be present among His people, offering His life to sustain and transform theirs. This doctrine invites the faithful into a deeper relationship with Jesus and calls for a life of holiness and service inspired by the sacrificial love of Christ.

Give us this day, our daily bread…

Thoughts on spiritual development

 

Luke 18: 35-43

Friends, in today’s Gospel, Jesus heals a blind man. The Lord asks, “What do you want me to do for you?” The man replies, “Lord, please let me see.” Jesus tells him, “Have sight; your faith has saved you.” Taking this story as their inspiration, many of the Fathers of the Church said that it is through Christ’s power and presence that we are able to see the world aright. The problem is that we pretend we are not sinners; we become blind to our blindness. Often the most important step in one’s spiritual development is an awakening to just how lost one is.   Dante’s Divine Comedy opens with the line, “Midway on the journey of our life I awoke to find myself alone and lost in a dark wood, having wandered from the straight path.” Dante’s adventure of the spirit, which will take him from hell to purgatory to heaven, can begin only when he wakes from a slumber of complacency and self-righteousness, only when he comes to the painful realization that he stands in need of grace.   The breakthrough of God’s grace is sometimes a harsh and dreadful thing, especially when it cracks open the defensive shell of our self-righteousness. Bishop Robert Barron

Thoughts on biblical love

 

Acting in God’s Name

The first questions are not “How much do we do?” or “How many people do we help out?” but “Are we interiorly at peace?” . . . Jesus’ actions flowed from his interior communion with God. His presence was healing, and it changed the world. In a sense he didn’t do anything! “Everyone who touched him was healed” (Mark 6:56). . . .  When we love God with all our heart, mind, strength, and soul, we cannot do other than love our neighbor, and our very selves. It is in being fully rooted in the heart of God that we are creatively connected with our neighbor as well as with our deepest self. In the heart of God we can see that the other human beings who live on this earth with us are also God’s sons and daughters, and belong to the same family we do. There, too, I can recognize and claim my own belovedness, and celebrate with my neighbors. Our society thinks economically: “How much love do I give to God, how much to my neighbor, and how much to myself?” But God says, “Give all your love to me, and I will give to you, your neighbor, and yourself.” We are not talking here about moral obligations or ethical imperatives. We are talking about the mystical life. It is the intimate communion with God that reveals to us how to live in the world and act in God’s Name. Henri Nouwen

Thoughts on reconciliation

 

The Tradition of the Catholic Church on Reconciliation

 

Reconciliation, also known as confession, is a sacrament deeply rooted in the Catholic Church's tradition, offering believers a path to spiritual healing and renewed relationship with God. This sacrament is based on the teachings of Jesus, who granted the apostles the authority to forgive sins, as reflected in the Gospel of John (John 20:23).

The process of reconciliation involves several steps: contrition, confession, absolution, and satisfaction. Contrition is the heartfelt sorrow for one's sins and the resolution to avoid sin in the future. This is followed by confession, where the penitent verbally discloses their sins to a priest. The priest, acting in the person of Christ, then grants absolution, declaring the sins forgiven. Finally, the penitent performs satisfaction, often a penance such as prayers or actions that help to repair the harm caused by the sin.

Reconciliation is not just about forgiveness; it’s a transformative journey. It provides an opportunity for Catholics to reflect on their lives, recognize their failings, and experience God's boundless mercy. The sacrament reinforces the importance of accountability and personal growth, encouraging believers to strive for a more Christ-like life.

The Catholic Church views reconciliation as essential for spiritual well-being. It fosters a sense of community, as the penitent's return to grace is a moment of joy for the entire Church. It also underscores the belief in God’s infinite mercy and the transformative power of His grace.

In a world where mistakes and shortcomings are inevitable, reconciliation offers a path to redemption and renewal, reaffirming the Church’s mission to bring God's love and forgiveness to all believers.

When was the last time that you went to confession? 

Thoughts on end times

  Jesus and the End of the World

 

In this Sunday's gospel, (Mark 13, 24-32) Jesus seems to tell us that our world as we know it will come to an end. However, in other places and in more positive terms he tells us our world is not just all going to be annihilated. Rather there will be a new heaven and a new earth. The great questions and/or mysteries about all of this we perhaps can summarize in the questions: when will this take place, how will this happen, and why? Jesus does not give us clear answers to such questions. For him the main issue is that we be ready, be prepared for it when he comes.

And how does one go about this? Again I do not believe his answer is overly clear except to say that we will be ready if we are living lives in the manner he has lived his. Succinctly he is the way, the truth and the life. We should recall that in many places in the gospels he provides parables and stories that simply emphasize be ready, be prepared.

Should these kinds of thoughts be unsettling or disconcerting. Everything is one day coming to an end. Our following Jesus example can be very challenging and difficult. For me the great consolation and encouragement in all of this is what he tells us at the very end of Matthew’s gospel (20, 28) And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the world. We will not undergo this ordeal alone; he will always be there laboring with us.

 

Jim Blumeyer, S.J.

Thoughts on the death penalty

 

The Catholic Church's Stance on the Death Penalty

The Catholic Church has a well-defined and evolving stance on the death penalty, rooted in the sanctity of human life and the principles of justice and mercy. Traditionally, the Church permitted the death penalty in cases where it was the only way to effectively defend human lives against an unjust aggressor. However, this position has undergone significant development in recent years.

Under the leadership of recent popes, including St. John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis, the Church has increasingly called for the abolition of the death penalty. This shift emphasizes the belief that modern society has the means to protect itself without taking a human life. In his 1995 encyclical Evangelium Vitae ("The Gospel of Life"), St. John Paul II asserted that the necessity of the death penalty is "very rare, if not practically non-existent."

Pope Francis has taken a definitive stance against capital punishment. In 2018, he revised the Catechism of the Catholic Church to state that the death penalty is "inadmissible" in all cases. He emphasized that it is an attack on the dignity of the person and that the Church is committed to working towards its global abolition. This teaching reflects a deeper understanding of the value of human life and the possibility of redemption and rehabilitation for every person.

The Church's position is grounded in a respect for the inherent dignity of every human being, regardless of their actions. It calls for a justice system that emphasizes rehabilitation over retribution and promotes a culture of life and mercy. This stance challenges Catholics and all people of goodwill to advocate for policies that respect life and to work towards a society where the dignity of every person is upheld.

Thoughts on Catholic Faith

 

The Light of Faith: A Catholic Reflection

Faith in God forms the bedrock of Catholic belief, permeating every aspect of life and guiding the faithful through joys and trials alike. This deep-rooted faith is not merely an intellectual assent but a heartfelt trust and relationship with God, who reveals Himself as the loving Father.

From a Catholic perspective, faith is a gift from God that invites a response. It is nurtured through prayer, the sacraments, and the teachings of the Church, fostering a deeper understanding of God's will and presence in our lives. The Eucharist, in particular, is the source and summit of Catholic faith, where believers encounter the real presence of Christ, strengthening their bond with Him and the entire Body of Christ.

Faith is also a communal journey. Catholics believe that they are part of a larger family – the Church – which supports and sustains them in their faith journey. This community aspect reflects the Church’s mission to be a living witness to God’s love in the world, through acts of charity, justice, and evangelization.

Ultimately, Catholic faith is about living out the Gospel message of love, hope, and redemption, trusting in God's promises and His unfailing love. It is a beacon of light that illuminates the path towards eternal life with God.

Thoughts on worship

 

Luke 17:11-19

Friends, today’s Gospel recounts the Lord’s healing of ten lepers, only one of whom comes back to give thanks. Leprosy frightened people in ancient times, just as contagious and mysterious diseases frighten people today. But, more than this, leprosy rendered someone unclean and therefore incapable of engaging in the act of worship. It is not accidental that the person responsible for examining the patient in ancient Israel was the priest. The priest’s job was to monitor the whole process of Israelite worship, very much including who could and couldn’t participate in the temple. What is so important about worship? To worship is to order the whole of one’s life toward the living God, and, in doing so, to become interiorly and exteriorly rightly ordered. To worship is to signal to oneself what one’s life is finally about. Worship is not something that God needs, but it is very much something that we need. Bishop Robert Barron

Thoughts on grief

 

The Blessing Hidden in Grief

What to do with our losses? . . . We must mourn our losses. We cannot talk or act them away, but we can shed tears over them and allow ourselves to grieve deeply. To grieve is to allow our losses to tear apart feelings of security and safety and lead us to the painful truth of our brokenness. Our grief makes us experience the abyss of our own life in which nothing is settled, clear, or obvious, but everything is constantly shifting and changing. . . . But in the midst of all this pain, there is a strange, shocking, yet very surprising voice. It is the voice of the One who says: “Blessed are those who mourn; they shall be comforted.” That’s the unexpected news: there is a blessing hidden in our grief. Not those who comfort are blessed, but those who mourn! Somehow, in the midst of our tears, a gift is hidden. Somehow, in the midst of our mourning, the first steps of the dance take place. Somehow, the cries that well up from our losses belong to our songs of gratitude. Henri Nouwen

Thoughts on the poor

 Luke 21:1-4 The Widows Mite

 

When I was a youngster, probably around 10 years old, for variety of reasons I used to walk around downtown Saint Louis a lot. Usually, I would be with my mother or another family member. Every so often I would come across a person begging, sitting on the sidewalk leaning against a building. In front of him would be a hat, usually with some change and a few bills in it.  In his hand there would be a bunch of newly sharpened pencils. If you put some money into his hat he would offer you one of the pencils. I had no need for it but I always took it. Whoever was with me would say little or nothing about what I had done. But It seems to me they somehow would let me know that they approved what I had done.

This Sunday's gospel, often referred to as the widows mite, reminds me that somebody else was watching and noting what I had done. It challenges me in the sense that so often today, often on street corners where there's a lot of car traffic, I find people begging. For variety of reasons, some not so clear to me, I refuse or ignore their request. From my work here at the retreat house I know that this is not just my problem or dilemma. 

To deal with this I remember talking to one of my Jesuit brothers who had a great sensitivity to the needs of the poor and our need to help them. I asked him how he dealt with people that he ran into on the streets and they reached out to him. Part of his solution was to listen very carefully and respectfully to what they were saying.   If there was some way in which he could practically help them he would. But often just respectfully listening to them and talking to them was the only thing he could do. This approach does not work well on a street corner in a car. So I'm still looking for a good solution.

What is encouraging to me today is the manner in which many people in our country respond to those who have suffered the disasters of hurricanes, floods and storms and other very unfortunate events. This is not the widows mite story.  But it is  evidence of people trying to follow through the teaching and example of Jesus and many others.

 

Jim Blumeyer, S.J.

Thoughts on failures

 

The Fellowship of the Weak

Fear, shame, and guilt often make us stay in our isolation and prevent us from realizing that our handicap, whatever it is, can always become the way to an intimate and healing fellowship in which we come to know one another as humans. After all, everyone shares the handicap of mortality. Our individual, physical, emotional, and spiritual failures are but symptoms of this disease. Only when we use these symptoms of mortality to form a fellowship of the weak can hope emerge. It is in the confession of our brokenness that the real strength of new and everlasting life can be affirmed and made visible. Henri Nouwen

Thoughts on the election

 

A post-election prayer

God of all nations,

We lift up to you our newly elected leaders and government officials. Grant them wisdom, integrity, and a spirit of service as they undertake their duties. May they be guided by a commitment to the common good, justice, and the welfare of all citizens.

May they govern with compassion, humility, and a deep sense of responsibility towards the most vulnerable and marginalised in our society.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

—via the Joint Public Issues Team

Thoughts on the greatest commandment

 

Mark 12:28b-34

Friends, our Gospel features what the ancient Israelites referred to as the shema: “Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone!” Could I invite everyone to make an examination of conscience on the basis of the shema? Is God the one Lord of your life? Who or what are his rivals for your attention, for your ultimate concern? Or, to turn the question around: Does absolutely everything in your life belong to God?  But people might ask: How do we give ourselves to a reality that we cannot see? This is where the second command of Jesus comes into play. When asked which is the first of all the commandments, Jesus responded with the shema, but then he added a second command, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”  There is a strict logic at work here. When you really love someone, you tend to love, as well, what they love. Well, what does God love? He loves everything and everyone that he has made. So, if you want to love God, and you find this move difficult because God seems so distant, love everyone you come across for the sake of God. Bishop Robert Barron

Thoughts on All Souls' Day

 

Today the Church celebrates the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed.

 

On this feast day, also known as All Souls’ Day, we honor the Holy Souls for their fidelity in life, as well as pray for them, since they are being purified before entering the All Holy Presence of God.

 

Before a soul can enter Paradise and be united with the Beatific Vision, the soul must first be purged of all imperfections and attachments to sin. This cleansing of the soul occurs in Purgatory.

 

Although the souls in Purgatory can pray for us, they cannot pray for themselves. Therefore, it is our responsibility to pray for them and for their release from Purgatory. If a loved one has already entered Heaven, our prayers will not be fruitless, since they will benefit another Holy Soul in Purgatory in need of prayers.

 

During November, the Church provides opportunities for Catholics to obtain plenary indulgences for the Holy Souls. Please read our special page dedicated to All Souls’ Day, where we explain how to receive indulgences this month. We also answer questions such as:

• What is the origin of All Souls’ Day?
• What does one do on All Souls’ Day?
• Who goes to Purgatory?
• Can the dead intercede for the living?

On the page, we also offer a free eBook, Novenas for the Holy Souls in Purgatory, which contains novenas and prayers to assist you in your prayerful efforts for a quick release of the holy souls from Purgatory. We hope this eBook and this page will guide you in fulfilling the spiritual work of mercy of praying for the dead.

 

May God bless you.

 

 

In Christ,

Your EWTN Family

  

 

 

Thoughts on Saints

 

Saintly Counselors

In the past, the saints had very much moved to the background of my consciousness. During the last few months, they re-entered my awareness as powerful guides on the way to God. I read the lives of many saints and great spiritual men and women, and it seems that they have become real members of my spiritual family, always present to offer suggestions, ideas, advice, consolation, courage, and strength. It is very hard to keep your heart and mind directed toward God when there are no examples to help you in your struggle. Without saints you easily settle for less-inspiring people and quickly follow the ways of others who for a while seem exciting but who are not able to offer lasting support. I am happy to have been able to restore my relationship with many great saintly men and women in history who, by their lives and works, can be real counselors to me. Henri Nouwen