Greetings from the "Pastor's Desk." This is an opportunity for me to share some daily thoughts, reflections and meditations with you. I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoy offering them to you.
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Spiritual Reflections
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As disciples of Jesus Christ, we are always in a battle against the distractions of the world, the opponents of Jesus. There are those who try to plant seeds of doubt in us regarding the omnipotence of God. Those who remain faithful, however, are blessed with peace and joy on earth, and have the promise of everlasting life in heaven. |
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The Immaculate Conception |
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Spiritual Reflections
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Mary was gifted with the grace of being unstained by original sin. She, nevertheless, had the free will to choose to say "yes" or "no" to God. Her "yes" allowed for the fulfillment of our promised redemption. For us, too, saying "yes" to God can bring new blessings we might never anticipate. There is no limit to what God can do. |
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December 7--Saint Ambrose |
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Spiritual Reflections
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If we look at the world that surrounds us we can see that evil is always poisonous, does not uplift human beings but degrades and humiliates them. It does not make them any the greater, purer, or wealthier, but harms and belittles them. This is something we should indeed learn on the day of the Immaculate Conception: The person who abandons himself totally in God's hands does not lose his freedom. Only the person who entrusts himself totally to God finds true freedom, the great creative immensity of the freedom of good. The person who turns to God does not become smaller but great, he becomes divine, he becomes truly himself. The person who puts himself in God's hands does not distance himself from others, withdrawing into his private salvation; on the contrary, it is only then that his heart truly awakens and he becomes a sensitive, hence, benevolent and open person. The closer a person is to God, the closer he is to people. We see this in Mary. The fact that she is totally with God is the reason why she is so close to human beings. For this reason she can be the Mother of every consolation and every help, a Mother whom anyone can dare to address in any kind of need in weakness and in sin, for she has understanding for everything and is for everyone the open power of creative goodness. In her, God has impressed his own image. |
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December 6--Saint Nicholas |
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Spiritual Reflections
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Sometimes, our lives seem to flow and everything seems to come out right. Other times, we seem to face almost unsurmountable obstacles. Either way, God, who knows us inside and out, knows what we need and the best way to guide us. If we keep walking with the Lord, He will guide us in the way we are supposed to go. |
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Spiritual Reflections
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Today's readings remind us that through Christ, God fulfilled the promise He made to His people to bring them salavation. This came about through the dying and rising of Jesus which opens the way to eternal life for believers. We are grateful for this great gift which impels us to serve Christ with undivided hearts.
It is from the line of David that God raises up a mighty savior to bring peace and salvation to the world. This salvation is open to all who will accept Jesus as the messiah. The repentance preached by John opens the way to Christ's coming and the establishment of the reign of God among us. |
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December 4--Saint John Damascene |
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Spiritual Reflections
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Advent is always a good time to reflect on the love of God as it is revealed to us each day.
Today completes the first week of Advent, and for many, we have taken the opportunity to pray and to meditate on God's goodness to us.
Isaiah the prophet tells us that God's mercy and healing will come to His people. Will we allow this mercy to enter into our lives, to heal us of our spiritual ills? |
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