First Sunday of Advent: Jeremiah 33: 14-16; 1Thessalonians 3: 12-4:2; Luke 21: 25-28, 34-36
Today's Scripture can be read at www.usccb.org/nab
What Are You Awaiting?
Many of us have very little patience for waiting. Although we may find ourselves waiting in many different situations, we frequently consider waiting time to be “wasted” or “lost” time. The expectation of instant results can color our approach to many varied aspects of life - from daily tasks to relationships. Yet we know that, whether we like it or not, certain things in life just cannot be rushed! There are things in life for which we just have to wait!
As we begin this Advent season, God’s Word today reminds us to consider our values and priorities to see if God makes a difference in what we wait for and look for in life.
The reading from Jeremiah reminds us that God continues to come into our lives; while our reading from Luke reminds us of each person’s ultimate end to life in this physical plane of existence. Indeed, regardless of length of years, life is short!
Counterbalancing these heartfelt reminders, the reading from Thessalonians can greatly sustain us as we hear the prayer “May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all…. so as to strengthen your hearts”
This prayer can anchor us and focus us as we begin our Advent season of 2009.
To think about: How do I react when I have to wait?
Do I often expect immediate results from my efforts?
Am I willing to “let go and let God”: to do what I can do and leave the results to God?
Do my actions show that I believe God is present in my life and in the lives of others?
What do I consider worth waiting for?
How patient am I when people do not act as I expect?
To do: Use everyday waiting times at stoplights, on shopping lines, or on the phone to breathe deeply and remember God’s presence within you.
These waiting times are also good times to remember others who are in need.
Call or visit someone who spends much of their day waiting in loneliness.
Be patient with someone you find difficult.
Wait before you buy that extra item; replace the impulse to buy something unnecessary with an action that serves or helps others.
To pray: “Come, Lord Jesus, give your people hope” or “Patience, for the Lord is coming.”
Next week: 2nd Sunday of Advent: Baruch 5: 1-9; Philippians 1: 4-11; Luke 3: 1-6
Friday, November 27, 2009
Thursday, November 19, 2009
"True Greatness/ Thankfulness": Reflection for the Feast of Christ the King, November 22, 2009
Today's Scripture , Daniel 7:13-14; Revelation 1: 5-8; John 18: 33-37, can be read at www.usccb.org/nab
True Greatness and Gratitude
As this Church Year comes to an end, we come together to celebrate an almost awe-inspiring, yet quite contradictory, vision in today’s feast of Christ the King. This "crowning" of the church year gives us incentive to consider our relationship with Jesus, the ways we think about him, and the ways that Jesus viewed himself.
Since we celebrate Thanksgiving this week, we might also consider our Scripture in the light of gratitude and thankfulness.
Although we may at times forget about Jesus’ divinity and power (Daniel, Revelation), God’s Word forcefully reminds us of Jesus' divine, eternal dimension. We can almost hear the trumpets sounding triumphantly as background for this King!
Yet, to our surprise and possible dismay, we also see how Jesus uses power, kingship and authority (John).
Jesus shows us that true power resides with accepting the truth that God is present in our lives and letting that presence make a difference in the way that we live.
God's Word challenges us to consider the ways that we view Jesus, and then to consider the ways that we try to live the Good News of Jesus in our world.
In our "Week of Thanks", we too can be more aware of our own "Gratitude Attitude" as we go through our daily lives. Sometimes we may be so intent on a great happening that we miss the many small blessings that can make a great difference in our lives.
To think about:
Whom or what do I worship by the way that I spend my time, talents and treasure?
Which image of Jesus do I prefer: the gloriously triumphant King or the servant King?
As I follow this King, do I seek glory or do I seek to serve?
Who are my children’s heroes; what is the message these heroes “preach” by their lives?
How many times a day do I thank God and thank others for the many everyday gifts?
How do I show thankfulness and gratitude in my life?
To do: Decide on ways to give gifts of service to others.
Select one or two ways to develop appreciation and thankfulness in your daily life by being more aware of the many gifts you already possess.
Challenge yourself and your family to develop a "Gratitude" or "Thanks" list each day this week. Notice the small everyday blessings!
Decide on limits for personal spending so that you can gift others who have less.
Serve others by brightening another’s life in some way by helping joyfully and gratefully as you respond to some need.
To pray: Let yourself sing "How great Thou art" a few times each day.
Next week: First Sunday of Advent: Jeremiah 33: 14-16; 1Thessalonians 3: 12-4:2; Luke 21: 25-36
True Greatness and Gratitude
As this Church Year comes to an end, we come together to celebrate an almost awe-inspiring, yet quite contradictory, vision in today’s feast of Christ the King. This "crowning" of the church year gives us incentive to consider our relationship with Jesus, the ways we think about him, and the ways that Jesus viewed himself.
Since we celebrate Thanksgiving this week, we might also consider our Scripture in the light of gratitude and thankfulness.
Although we may at times forget about Jesus’ divinity and power (Daniel, Revelation), God’s Word forcefully reminds us of Jesus' divine, eternal dimension. We can almost hear the trumpets sounding triumphantly as background for this King!
Yet, to our surprise and possible dismay, we also see how Jesus uses power, kingship and authority (John).
Jesus shows us that true power resides with accepting the truth that God is present in our lives and letting that presence make a difference in the way that we live.
God's Word challenges us to consider the ways that we view Jesus, and then to consider the ways that we try to live the Good News of Jesus in our world.
In our "Week of Thanks", we too can be more aware of our own "Gratitude Attitude" as we go through our daily lives. Sometimes we may be so intent on a great happening that we miss the many small blessings that can make a great difference in our lives.
To think about:
Whom or what do I worship by the way that I spend my time, talents and treasure?
Which image of Jesus do I prefer: the gloriously triumphant King or the servant King?
As I follow this King, do I seek glory or do I seek to serve?
Who are my children’s heroes; what is the message these heroes “preach” by their lives?
How many times a day do I thank God and thank others for the many everyday gifts?
How do I show thankfulness and gratitude in my life?
To do: Decide on ways to give gifts of service to others.
Select one or two ways to develop appreciation and thankfulness in your daily life by being more aware of the many gifts you already possess.
Challenge yourself and your family to develop a "Gratitude" or "Thanks" list each day this week. Notice the small everyday blessings!
Decide on limits for personal spending so that you can gift others who have less.
Serve others by brightening another’s life in some way by helping joyfully and gratefully as you respond to some need.
To pray: Let yourself sing "How great Thou art" a few times each day.
Next week: First Sunday of Advent: Jeremiah 33: 14-16; 1Thessalonians 3: 12-4:2; Luke 21: 25-36
Friday, November 13, 2009
"A Season for Everything": Reflection for November 15, 2009; 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Today's Scripture passages: Daniel 12: 1-3; Hebrews 10: 11-18; Mark 13: 24-32, are available at http://www.uscc.org/nab
A Season for Everything
Almost all the leaves have fallen from the trees; branches are bare and stark. As darkness continues to increase each day, we spend more time indoors. I’ve found that, for some unknown reason, schoolwork can often become more intense at this point in the school term; assignments and responsibilities seem to build to a crescendo.
With our Thanksgiving celebration approaching, we know that “countdowns” to holidays will touch our lives. Next week the church community will close the calendar on another church year.
Yes, this month is a time of transition, a reminder that life changes. We still have a few weeks to go before light increases in the afternoon, before we celebrate newness, before nature’s new life emerges once again.
God’s Word today reminds us that endings are not final for God (Daniel), for new life can blossom in unexpected places (Mark).
God’s Word also challenges us to bring light, hope and life to our world (Mark).
As we consider life’s changes, let us be more aware of our many blessings and the ways that we share those blessings with others.
To think about:
What are some signs that remind me of life’s brevity?
Do I let an awareness of life’s transience influence my priorities, my actions, and my decisions? Who are some people who bring light, hope, or new life to our world?
How do I or my family bring life and light to others?
Do I make gratitude an integral part of my life, of my family's life?
To do: Let an awareness of life’s brevity influence one decision you make each day.
Remind yourself this week: “If I knew this were my last day, what would I do differently?" Express your gratitude for everyday blessings and for people who add joy and light to your life. Bring light to someone in poverty or ignorance by giving money you might use for yourself to a worthwhile cause.
To pray: Insert your name and hear Jesus say to you, “You, _____, are light for the world.”
Next week: Christ the King: Daniel 7:13-14; Revelation 1: 5-8; John 18: 33-37
A Season for Everything
Almost all the leaves have fallen from the trees; branches are bare and stark. As darkness continues to increase each day, we spend more time indoors. I’ve found that, for some unknown reason, schoolwork can often become more intense at this point in the school term; assignments and responsibilities seem to build to a crescendo.
With our Thanksgiving celebration approaching, we know that “countdowns” to holidays will touch our lives. Next week the church community will close the calendar on another church year.
Yes, this month is a time of transition, a reminder that life changes. We still have a few weeks to go before light increases in the afternoon, before we celebrate newness, before nature’s new life emerges once again.
God’s Word today reminds us that endings are not final for God (Daniel), for new life can blossom in unexpected places (Mark).
God’s Word also challenges us to bring light, hope and life to our world (Mark).
As we consider life’s changes, let us be more aware of our many blessings and the ways that we share those blessings with others.
To think about:
What are some signs that remind me of life’s brevity?
Do I let an awareness of life’s transience influence my priorities, my actions, and my decisions? Who are some people who bring light, hope, or new life to our world?
How do I or my family bring life and light to others?
Do I make gratitude an integral part of my life, of my family's life?
To do: Let an awareness of life’s brevity influence one decision you make each day.
Remind yourself this week: “If I knew this were my last day, what would I do differently?" Express your gratitude for everyday blessings and for people who add joy and light to your life. Bring light to someone in poverty or ignorance by giving money you might use for yourself to a worthwhile cause.
To pray: Insert your name and hear Jesus say to you, “You, _____, are light for the world.”
Next week: Christ the King: Daniel 7:13-14; Revelation 1: 5-8; John 18: 33-37
Friday, November 6, 2009
"Many Small Beacons of Light": Reflection for November 8, 2009; 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
1 Kings 17: 10-16; Hebrews 9: 24-28; Mark 12: 38-44
Today's Scripture can be read in full at http://www.usccb.org/nab
I think that we'd all agree that a small flashlight can help us when we are in a dark place, and that a small nightlight can help provide comfort for children and a sense of safety for those who worry about tripping over objects at night.
Likewise we'd all probably agree that a friendly smile or a child's hug can brighten the day and that a word of encouragement can dispel doubt. Hopefully, we have all experienced the difference that some small gesture can make.
God's Word today reminds us of the significance of these "small gestures"(Kings, Mark).
We in turn are called to examine our own views toward what we value as significant, and to consider how we use our own small gifts to make a difference for God's People.
To think about:
Do I refrain from doing something because "it won't make a difference"?
Do I praise only the most obvious achievements, overlooking small efforts and accomplishments?
Do I thank God for small everyday blessings or do I overlook ordinary joys of daily life because they seem insignificant?
To do: Make that phone call, write that email or letter, send that card or visit that person you have been meaning to contact.
Notice ordinary gifts in your daily life; challenge your child to do an "Alphabet Thank You" to thank God for blessings.
Commend your child's efforts to change or to grow in some way.
Make an extra effort to share your own gifts through our Thanksgiving Food Drive.
To pray: Hear Jesus say to you, " You, (insert your own name), are a light for the world."
Next week: 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time: Daniel 12:1-3; Hebrews 10: 11-18; Mark 13: 24-32
Today's Scripture can be read in full at http://www.usccb.org/nab
I think that we'd all agree that a small flashlight can help us when we are in a dark place, and that a small nightlight can help provide comfort for children and a sense of safety for those who worry about tripping over objects at night.
Likewise we'd all probably agree that a friendly smile or a child's hug can brighten the day and that a word of encouragement can dispel doubt. Hopefully, we have all experienced the difference that some small gesture can make.
God's Word today reminds us of the significance of these "small gestures"(Kings, Mark).
We in turn are called to examine our own views toward what we value as significant, and to consider how we use our own small gifts to make a difference for God's People.
To think about:
Do I refrain from doing something because "it won't make a difference"?
Do I praise only the most obvious achievements, overlooking small efforts and accomplishments?
Do I thank God for small everyday blessings or do I overlook ordinary joys of daily life because they seem insignificant?
To do: Make that phone call, write that email or letter, send that card or visit that person you have been meaning to contact.
Notice ordinary gifts in your daily life; challenge your child to do an "Alphabet Thank You" to thank God for blessings.
Commend your child's efforts to change or to grow in some way.
Make an extra effort to share your own gifts through our Thanksgiving Food Drive.
To pray: Hear Jesus say to you, " You, (insert your own name), are a light for the world."
Next week: 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time: Daniel 12:1-3; Hebrews 10: 11-18; Mark 13: 24-32
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)