There is a Christmas song that says of Bethlehem: “Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting Light.” Bethlehem is a suburb of Jerusalem. Its main tourist attraction in the time of Jesus was that it was the birthplace of David.  Though today it has many modern homes and buildings, you can still see that it is part of “the hill country…of Judah.” (Lk 1:39)  It is not too far from En Kerem, where John the Baptist was born, and apparently where today’s Gospel takes place.

We see in the Gospel reading today how Elizabeth and her unborn child rejoiced at the news of Jesus’ coming birth.  The story implies that Mary went to see Elizabeth as soon as the angel told her about Jesus.  Maybe it was easier to tell her cousin, who was also with child, than her fiancé.  I would think that talking about it made this miracle more real.  I know that talking about my faith makes it more real to me.

Jesus is the “everlasting Light” mentioned in the song.  That light shines today, not just in Bethlehem, but everywhere that his followers bring it.  When we console someone who is mourning, that light shines.  When we offer to help someone in need, it shines brighter.  When we forgive someone who hurt us, the light is burning.  When we offer to sponsor a candidate in the RCIA, the light grows.  When we teach a child how to pray, it shines even brighter.

Our dark streets need the everlasting Light today as much as they did 2000 years ago.  Today we remember how Mary and Elizabeth shared their faith in God.  They did so much like we do today.  Mary could not see her unborn son yet but helped Elizabeth to believe by her words. Jesus, who seems to be invisible today, is seen in the shared faith of those who bring him into the world by their words and actions.

Tom Schmidt, Diocesan Publications

Fourth Sunday of Advent | USCCB

We often get so caught up in everything we do to prepare for Christmas that we forget Advent altogether.  The readings remind us that despite the stress we may feel thinking about how close Christmas is, we are called to rejoice, for the Lord is near.

The stress we feel may be from fear.  But did you ever notice how much easier it is to have someone to shop with you, write the Christmas cards, or decorate the tree?  “Shout for joy…fear not!” says the prophet Zephaniah in the first reading. (Zeph 3:14)  He tells us the Lord is not coming to punish us for waiting till the last minute to put up the tree.  The prophet says the Lord is in our midst, we are not alone.   “He has turned away your enemies.” (Zeph 3:15)

And as if that wasn’t good enough, he says that the Lord rejoices over us!  How many times have you wondered if you could ask the Lord for help?  Zephaniah reminds us that the Lord is happy to help.  St. Paul says the same thing in the second reading: “Have no anxiety at all…make your requests known to God.” (Phil 4:6). That is where Advent comes in. We can look forward to the Lord’s presence in our lives. That is why faith and hope are central to the theme of Advent. Our faith in God’s love for us gives us hope that he will support us in our weakness and fill us with the joy he has over us.

Tom Schmidt, Diocesan Publications

Third Sunday of Advent | USCCB

It seems the early Church had a different view of Advent than we do.  After the resurrection, Christians looked for Jesus to return in glory.  They expected this return to happen soon, so we see references in Paul’s letters to the “coming of the Lord Jesus” (1 Thess 3:13) or to the “day of Christ Jesus.”  (Phil 1:6)

In the second reading this week, we hear what Paul recommends for the people of Philippi as they wait for the Lord to return.  He prays that their love will grow and mature, so that they will be able to “discern what is of value.” (Phil 1:10)  This may sound vague, but is very good advice, even for us today.

As we grow to be better Christians, we learn to love what is important.  As you grew up, you learned to like healthier foods. That doesn’t mean that some foods are bad (how could nachos be bad?), just that there are better choices.   Paul encourages us to make better choices: friends we like, books we read, how we spend our free time, causes we donate to, and values we teach to our children.  With less than three weeks of Advent remaining, let us ask the Lord to help us “discern what is of value” in our lives.

Tom Schmidt, Diocesan Publications

Second Sunday of Advent | USCCB

How good is good enough?  Do you have to be perfect to get to heaven?  In the second reading this Sunday, Paul seems to think so when he tells us to be “blameless in holiness” (1 Thess 3:13.)  Now Paul never considered himself as perfect.  But even with his weakness, Paul always did the best he could. So, what should we strive for? Maybe we can take a hint from his phrase, “strengthen your hearts.”

Think of athletes who try to do their best.  A great ball player takes batting practice every day to improve his average.  Good athletes are always looking for ways to improve themselves. They keep in shape so they can be stronger, faster, and smarter.  That same attitude is what Paul means by “strengthen your hearts.”  And Advent is a good time to start.

As we prepare to celebrate the coming of the Lord, we can get ourselves in spiritual shape. Spiritual reading can give us a stronger prayer life.  But if our spiritual reading just makes us feel good, we may be wasting our time.  Hopefully, it will lead us to try praying more often and more seriously.  Likewise, we can read about volunteering to feed the poor, but making a commitment and doing it is what strengthens the heart.  Then as the Gospel says, we may have “the strength…to stand before the Son of Man.” (Lk 21:36)

Tom Schmidt, Diocesan Publications

First Sunday of Advent | USCCB

Acceptance of the savior requires us to clear a way for Him in our lives.  We must remove unnecessary distractions.

John points to Jesus as the answer to correct living and hope for the future.

John minimizes himself to maximize the importance of Jesus the Messiah.

John gave his life to announce the great coming of the Savior.

Are we prepared to reflect, to minimize our own agendas, to repent, and to open ourselves to the coming of Jesus once again?

Readings: Third Sunday of Advent | USCCB

John the Baptist preached repentance for sin.

We too are called for conversion of heart.

we are to prepare ourselves for the coming of the Savior into our lives.

We are called to eliminate distractions that might prevent us from seeing and hearing Him anew.

Will we open ourselves to the Spirit so that we will be ready?

Readings: Second Sunday of Advent | USCCB

Advent is a time of watching and waiting for the Lord liturgically and in our lives.

As we prepare for His coming to us again at Christmas, we must also prepare for our coming closer to Him.

Advent is a time of prayer and review of exactly where we stand in our faith lives.

We can never be sure of how much time we have, but any time at all is an opportunity for renewal.

Will we not just use some time but rather make time to focus on Jesus’ coming to us again?

Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120323.cfm

“Behold, the Virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means ‘God is with us.'”

The mystery of Mary’s pregnancy is revealed to Joseph.

He accepts the revelation with humility and trust.

Can we accept God’s plan for us when it is different from our expectations?

Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121822.cfm

Jesus promises that He will help us reach heaven by sending a guide who can model how we should love and follow him.

This guidance will lead us to eternal life if we take heed.

Will we see the examples He gives us and follow the path He reveals?

Reading:  https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121122.cfm

John the Baptist knew that something important was about to happen.

He knew that Jesus was to be the defining factor in Israel’s and mankind’s future.

John warned the establishment that their way was not to be the future.  God was doing something different.

Repentance from sin was to be a first step in awaiting the new future.  This baptism was to be the first step of commitment to this new future.

Jesus was coming to bring change with the fire of the Holy Spirit.

Will we, too, prepare ourselves for Jesus’ coming again this Christmas?

Readings:  https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120422.cfm

But we know that He surely will.

Therefore, stay awake.

We can be a light to others through our words, attitudes and actions.

Ready our souls for Jesus’ coming.  Always be prepared for him.

Readings: First Sunday of Advent | USCCB

The power of the Spirit is again revealed.

For Elizabeth, the Holy Spirit allowed both she and the Baby in her womb.

For both Mary and Elizabeth, the Holy Spirit enabled belief and acceptance.

But even with the Spirit’s help, belief is a choice only we can make.

Will you listen and trust in what the Lord is saying to you?

Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121921.cfm

Those who followed John the Baptist wanted to  partake of the Kingdom of God, but they did not know how to do so.

We can find ourselves in a similar circumstance.

The world offers us ways for succeeding, but the world’s ways are not God’s ways.

Treating others with compassion, consideration, and charity is required.

Can you open yourself to the Spirit received in baptism, be inspired, and follow His guidance?

Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121221.cfm

John the Baptist preached repentance and the forgiveness of sins.

Prepare the way of the Lord… make the hills and valleys smooth for His coming in your life.

In this season of Advent, we once again ponder and prepare for Jesus’ coming yet again.

We are reminded of our baptism for our redemption and becoming a new person in the spirit.

Can we remember the importance of our baptism and renew the life we live in Jesus?

Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120521.cfm

The end will be a frightful day.

But for the followers of Jesus, it is the time to stand erect and await their Savior.

Do not falter in the meantime; avoid all that will keep you from your appointment with the Son of Man.

Be vigilant and pray for the strength to be steadfast and escape the sufferings that are to come.

Prepare yourself. Are you getting ready?

Mary, a young, innocent woman with an abundance of grace and faith, said yes to God’s messenger Gabriel.

She did not understand how God’s will was to come about, yet she accepted it and her role in it.

We look forward to Jesus’ coming.

Are we ready to say yes to His plan for us,  even though it’s a mystery for us too?

Readings:
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122020.cfm

Acceptance of the savior requires us to clear a way for Him in our lives.  We must remove unnecessary distractions.

John points to Jesus as the answer to correct living and hope for the future.

John minimizes himself to maximize the importance of Jesus the Messiah.

John gave his life to announce the great coming of the Savior.

Are we prepared to reflect, to minimize our own agendas, to repent, and to open ourselves to the coming of Jesus once again?

Readings:
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121320.cfm

John the Baptist preached repentance for sin.

We too are called for the conversion of heart.

We are to prepare ourselves for the coming of the Savior into our lives.

We are called to eliminate distractions that might prevent us from seeing and hearing him anew.

Will we open ourselves to the Spirit so that we will be ready?

Readings:
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120620.cfm

Advent is a time of watching and waiting for the Lord liturgically and in our lives.

As we prepare for His coming to us again at Christmas, we must also prepare for our coming closer to Him.

Advent is a time of prayer and review of exactly where we stand in our faith lives.

We can never be sure of how much time we have, but any time at all is an opportunity for renewal.

Will we not just use some time but rather make time to focus on Jesus’ coming to us again?

Readings:
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/112920.cfm

Mary and Joseph were the instruments of God’s will to fulfill His promise of love.

Though not expecting this scenario, each accepted without question.

Will we recognize and accept His gift of grace and love in whatever form it comes?

Jesus was the one.

He healed and saved and redeemed.

Have you prepared the way for Him to come into your life?

John the Baptist warns that true repentance means changing one’s ways.

To enter the Kingdom of God, one must “bear fruit”.

Good works and spreading the faith are what Jesus asks of us.

…. But we know that He surely will.

Therefore, stay awake

and always be prepared for Him.

· On this Second Sunday of Advent, we are called to get ready for the coming of the Savior into our lives.
· Preparation requires that we remove the hills and valleys in our lives that impede our progress toward our relationship with Jesus.
· Fear not … He will rejoice over you with gladness.
· The Lord has removed judgment… He comes to save you.
· Prepare yourselves by fostering the right attitude and actions.
· Care for the poor and those around you.  Act with fairness and compassion in all things.
· You will receive the Holy Spirit and your heart will be set on fire with faith.
· Bow your heads in Thanksgiving that one so great would come among us.
· Open your arms and heart to receive the gift.

· On this Second Sunday of Advent we are called to get ready for the coming of the Savior into our lives.
· Preparation requires that we remove the hills and valleys in our lives that impede our progress toward our relationship with Jesus.
· Repentance for what we have done wrong is a good start.
· A second step is to ponder the glory that is before us. Our God is coming to be with us and to save us, again.
· We must recognize the coming of the baby Jesus and the man Jesus as God’s greatest possible gift.
· Can we stop what we are doing and think for a moment about the great thing that will happen for us?
· Can we filter out the sounds and activities of the season long enough to cherish the meaning of the season for us?