Tagged: Advent

Homily

The Grandeur of God – Homily for the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

Maybe it’s just me, but this autumn seems to have been especially glorious: colorful, vivid, bright, and seemingly lasting forever. Lately the trees have lost some of their color, what with the rain and the wind, but overall it’s been a beautiful autumn. I notice it most when I am commuting back and forth to work. To get to St. John Vianney School in the Spokane Valley I usually take 29th Avenue to Carnahan, Carnahan to 8th Avenue, 8th to Park and so on. It usually takes about...

Homily

The Soul Felt Its Worth – Homily for Gaudete Sunday

Today we heard the prophet Isaiah say, “I rejoice heartily in the LORD, in my God is the joy of my soul.” The word “rejoice” is repeated over and over in today’s Gaudete Sunday liturgy, from that reading of Isaiah, to the responsorial psalm, “My soul rejoices in my God,” and in Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians, “Rejoice always.” We’re only about a week away from Christmas, and today we are reminded that Christmas is a time of rejoicing. There are many people whose faces shine with that...

Homily

Strength to Face the Future: Homily for the First Sunday of Advent – Year C

In today’s gospel Jesus tells his disciples to “stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.” In a bit of personal irony, I woke up this weekend unable to “stand erect” because of an excruciating pain in my back. I guess I must have tweaked something putting up the Christmas tree or carrying the box of holiday china. But it’s starting to feel better, and I have great hope that it will continue to heal. We human beings cannot live without hope. We’re unique...

Homily

A Scrooge on Gaudete Sunday – Homily for the 3rd Sunday of Advent

Today we see the beautiful roses and the rose vestments, and the rose colored candle that represent the third Sunday of Advent. These are visible reminders that no matter what we are going through, no matter what is happening around us, as Christians we are always people of Good News. And when we receive good news, how do we react? We rejoice. And that’s why this Sunday is dedicated to rejoicing. Why? Because we now know that the one we long for, the one our soul longs to...

The Annunciation by Fra Angelico

Homily

A Thrill of Hope: Homily for the Fourth Sunday of Advent – Year C

Once upon a time, in the early ages of the world, people believed that storms and droughts and sickness were sent by angry gods and goddesses. To the ancient people, the universe was a fearful place, a place of chaos, a place of danger, and the only way to stay safe was to offer sacrifices to try and please the gods. Ancient peoples would sacrifice a portion of the crops, they would sacrifice animals, and in some cases, they even sacrificed humans. But then came a people who...

Advent Wreath

Spirituality

Resources for the Beginning of Advent

Advent is upon us, our annual invitation to living with hope and expectation. As we begin this sacred time of waiting and watching, here are some resources to help us in our preparations for Christmas: America Magazine offers An (Unconventional) Advent Playlist for those who like to wait until the actual Christmas season to play Christmas music. Busted Halo has updated their Advent in 2 Minutes video: Dynamic Catholic is once again offering their daily video mediations, The Best Advent Ever. And if you’re looking for a good...

Gonzaga Prep's Sound of Music

Homily

An Overture for Christmas – Homily for the 4th Sunday of Advent

Back in November, Brenda and I got to see our daughter Teresa perform in Gonzaga Prep’s production of The Sound of Music. I know some of you here are theater moms or dads, and your kids have been in shows too, shows like Ferris’ The Addams Family, Fiddler on the Roof, or Shrek. Or maybe some of you are theater kids and have seen your parents perform in Ham on Regal. So you know how it is that you end up seeing the same show multiple times. You...

The Visitation by Lorenzo Monaco

Homily

Mature Faith and the Visitation – Homily for the Fourth Sunday of Advent

I remember when Brenda was pregnant with each of our four kids, how she would often talk with other women who were also pregnant. There’s a bond that forms between mothers. Only they understand what it’s like to carry a living being within themselves. Only they understand the cravings, the anxieties, the joys. They learn from each other, commiserate with each other, reassure each other. And that bond doesn’t end after the babies are born. It continues as the children get their first teeth, get out of diapers,...

Giving Tuesday Baby

Service

#GivingTuesday Is Almost Here – Are You Ready?

Here’s a great idea for the beginning of Advent: #GivingTuesday! What is #GivingTuesday? Black Friday. Cyber Monday. #GivingTuesday! We have a day for giving thanks. We have two for getting deals. Now, we have #GivingTuesday, a global day dedicated to giving back. On Tuesday, December 2, 2014, charities, families, businesses, community centers, and students around the world will come together for one common purpose: to celebrate generosity and to give. It’s a simple idea. Just find a way for your family, your community, your company or your organization...

Nasrudin's Donkey

Homily

Donkeys and Moonwalking Bears: Homily for the First Sunday of Advent – Year B 2014

There’s a video that’s been online for about five years now, that I like to show to my students. It starts in a big parking garage with two street basketball teams, one wearing white t-shirts and sweats, the other wearing black. As they stand there in one line, each team with its own basketball, the announcer’s voice begins, “This is an Awareness Test.” “How many passes does the team in white make?” A voice yells, “GO!” and suddenly the teams start running around, weaving in and out, passing...

Homily

Let Him Enter: Homily for the Fourth Sunday of Advent – Year A

We are at the end of Advent season and as we make our final preparations for Christmas we may wonder how we should spend these last three days preparing our hearts. A few minutes ago we sung together the antiphon from today’s responsorial psalm:  “Let the Lord enter; he is the king of glory.” What better way to make our final preparations for Christmas, then by meditating on that antiphon? If we take some time over the next few days to repeat it to ourselves and reflect on...

Vatican Museums Spiral Staircase

Homily

Running in Circles or Climbing the Circular Staircase? – Homily for the First Sunday of Advent – Year A

Today marks the beginning of another liturgical year. It’s Advent, that time of joyful preparation. But so often, rather than marking a period of peaceful preparation, Advent marks the beginning of the season of stress and worry. Will I survive Black Friday? Will the gift arrive in time? Where do we spend Christmas? Will the flight be delayed? Will the pass be snowed in? Will I get what I want? What do I wear to the Christmas party? At the very time of year we are invited to...