Minute Meditation – We Are Only Given This Day
What if we could place a meal on the table differently and then hear, finally, the simple things—laughter, rain, and the smell of the sea? What if the dark is spilling the impossible blue on each one who passes by, breaking our hearts open until we see that everything gleams with light—until we are no longer able to “pass by like a dream?” A single sentence, a single word keeps turning life over. We are only given this day.
— from the book Stars at Night: When Darkness Unfolds as Night
by Paula D’Arcy
//Franciscan Media//
Minute Meditation – Our God Understands
Knowing that God not only knows but experienced what it was to be a human being, composed of blood and flesh and bone, limited by all the things that limit us, should give us patience with our weakness and joy in our strength. In our prayers for help, we can say, “You know what it’s like,” and be confident that he does. But we can also look to the end of the story and know that by being one of us, he was able to raise us up to overcome those limits—and the final limit of death itself. As St. Irenaeus put it so well, “He became human so that we might become divine.”
—from the book The Peace of Christmas: Quiet Reflections with Pope Francis
by Diane M. Houdek
//Franciscan Media//
Minute Meditation – God’s Love Never Fails
The gifts we give are ultimately about the receiver, not about the giver. How often when we’re giving gifts do we think about how the gift will reflect on us, our great taste, our generosity, our discretionary income? Much of this stems from insecurity, a fear that we’re somehow not enough in ourselves, that what we do and how much we make and the gifts we give bolster our sense of self. But the peril of this approach is that we’re bound to be disappointed by the receiver’s reaction, no matter how much they thank us. The Christmas holidays often surface doubts and insecurities that we ignore the rest of the year. It might be the stress of extra activities, more spending than we’re accustomed to, less sleep than we need, more food and drink than we should have. We see people we haven’t seen in several months, perhaps not since last Christmas, and we wonder what they think of us. Family gatherings can raise tensions as well. The wonder of the birth of Jesus is balanced by a darker reality: We are all broken and marginalized in some way. We are called to see the mercy and forgiveness that are such an essential part of the incarnation. The peace we can’t find in our daily life is waiting for us in the love of God, a love so clearly shown in the gift of Jesus.
Treat yourself to a little soul-searching. We usually know what fault we most need to work on in ourselves. Minor issues can often be dealt with through some reflection and journaling, being honest with ourselves, and making a commitment to work on our bad habits. More serious issues might need some counseling or therapy. That could be the best Christmas gift you could give yourself. Many churches have special reconciliation services during the Advent season; if you’re so inclined, you might want to attend one, with or without individual confession. A peaceful heart is one of the greatest gifts of Christmas.
—from the book The Peace of Christmas: Quiet Reflections from Pope Francis
by Diane M. Houdek
//Franciscan Media//
Minute Meditation – The Gift of Enough
The gifts we give are ultimately about the receiver, not about the giver. How often when we’re giving gifts do we think about how the gift will reflect on us, our great taste, our generosity, our discretionary income? Much of this stems from insecurity, a fear that we’re somehow not enough in ourselves, that what we do and how much we make and the gifts we give bolster our sense of self. But the peril of this approach is that we’re bound to be disappointed by the receiver’s reaction, no matter how much they thank us. The Christmas holidays often surface doubts and insecurities that we ignore the rest of the year. It might be the stress of extra activities, more spending than we’re accustomed to, less sleep than we need, more food and drink than we should have. We see people we haven’t seen in several months, perhaps not since last Christmas, and we wonder what they think of us. Family gatherings can raise tensions as well. The wonder of the birth of Jesus is balanced by a darker reality: We are all broken and marginalized in some way. We are called to see the mercy and forgiveness that are such an essential part of the incarnation. The peace we can’t find in our daily life is waiting for us in the love of God, a love so clearly shown in the gift of Jesus.
Treat yourself to a little soul-searching. We usually know what fault we most need to work on in ourselves. Minor issues can often be dealt with through some reflection and journaling, being honest with ourselves, and making a commitment to work on our bad habits. More serious issues might need some counseling or therapy. That could be the best Christmas gift you could give yourself. Many churches have special reconciliation services during the Advent season; if you’re so inclined, you might want to attend one, with or without individual confession. A peaceful heart is one of the greatest gifts of Christmas.
—from the book The Peace of Christmas: Quiet Reflections from Pope Francis
by Diane M. Houdek
//Franciscan Media//
Best Christmas Ever – Day 25 – The Sights, Smells, and Sounds of Christmas
BEST CHRISTMAS EVER
We’re so close to Christmas—will this year really be your best Christmas ever? Watch today’s video for a last minute checklist to make sure you have an incredible holiday! Watch the video!
Click on the link to watch video:
https://www.dynamiccatholic.com/advent/12212022-christmas-reflection.html
Sermon Notes – December 18, 2022 – “The Silent Saint”
“The Silent Saint”
Father Peter Fitzgibbons
December 17 – 18, 2022
Gospel: Matthew 1:18-24
18 This is how Jesus Christ came to be born. His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph; but before they came to live together she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. 19 Her husband Joseph, being an upright man and wanting to spare her disgrace, decided to divorce her informally. 20 He had made up his mind to do this when suddenly the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because she has conceived what is in her by the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a Son and you must name Him Jesus, because He is the one who is to save His people from their sins.’ 22 Now all this took place to fulfil what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: 23 Look! the virgin is with child and will give birth to a Son whom they will call Immanuel, a name which means ‘God-is-with-us’. 24 When Joseph woke up he did what the angel of the Lord had told him to do: he took his wife to his home.
In the Christmas narratives about the birth of our Lord, one person gets short scripted, spiritually speaking. However, it doesn’t bother him because he’s in Heaven in the presence of our good Lord forever. He has everything, so he doesn’t take it personally although some of us would. Who is he? Saint Joseph the Silent who never uttered a word in scripture. According to some traditions, Saint Joseph was without sin but that is pious tradition and not de fide. The Church is silent on that. But, if you look at the staff he carries, it always has a lily, and the lily is a sign of purity.
In ancient Israel, when you were betrothed, you were considered married even before you lived together. You have to read the Gospel in the context of the times because that is when it was written. Even though events in the Gospel happened over 2,000 years ago, we tend to interpret the events and words as if they were a part of our culture today. And that’s not true. An angel of the Lord came to Joseph in a dream and said, “Have no fear about taking Mary as your wife.” It is the beginning and the continuing of our redemption because he said “yes” to Almighty God in a dream. Did he understand it? No – but he did it. The obedience of Saint Joseph is a model for what our response should be. What an example of faith.
In other dreams, he was told to go to Egypt and to come back from Egypt. He did a lot of walking. He had to walk with Mary who rode on a mule or something like it all the way to Bethlehem. It was shoe leather express all the way. When he couldn’t find a room for her, he had to put her in a stable. You may say, “Well, he was poor.” Scripture doesn’t say that. Quite to the contrary. When the Wise Men came, they found the family in a house. Joseph was a skilled tradesman. In those days, carpenters were highly skilled tradesmen. So, he was probably very secure in his finances. Scripture doesn’t mention that – only that he was a carpenter. They figured we would know all that. What a great act of faith by Joseph. .to be told that Mary is with child by God and to take her as his wife. How can that be possible? Well, in a few days, we will also wonder how God can become man. He can because He is God.
Obedience has two forms. There is the objective part where you do things out of fear. Nobody drives 35 mph in town just because it’s the right thing to do. We do it because the Albemarle Police Department may be close by and watching us. I always see the Highway Patrol and sheriff deputies at the VFW sitting out of view in Richfield. They hide really well. I saw one sitting at the Lutheran Church just over the crest of the hill. Perfect! And if law enforcement catches you speeding, they will say, “Come here and make a donation to the State.” That is objective obedience. I’ve told you before that the toughest part of obedience is mental interior obedience. To obey for love of the law giver who wants our service. It was designed only for our good, and that’s the hard part because our original sin cries, “I know more than You.”
Joseph never spoke a word in Scripture, but he said “yes” by his actions. By his actions, he imitated the Blessed Mother’s fiat, “Be it done to me according to thy will.” What a humble submission of will. What a humble submission of intellect. In a few days, we will mark the fruits of Joseph’s cooperation. What are the fruits of his cooperation? He was the first human being to hold God in his hands.
How will you apply this message to your life? _________________________________________
You can read all of Father Fitzgibbons’ sermons by going to annunciationcatholicalbemarle.com and clicking on “Blog” then “Categories” then “Sermon Notes.” On a cell phone: click on “Blog” then “Menu” and then “Categories”
Why Should You Read the Catechism of the Catholic Church?
Why Should You Read the Catechism of the Catholic Church?
For the same reason that I should wipe the dust off of mine. Because we are called to both deeper intimacy with Christ and to tell the world that Jesus is Lord. Our world has often, in all of its changes and empty promises, forgotten who Jesus Christ is. It looks at broken members of the Church and sees an invention of history, an institution belonging to the past. But we know that the Church is alive, so we must learn the truth and then share it with others. We must show the world how to look at brokenness and see the promise of the Redeemer.
Reading the Catechism will only enrich your spiritual life. With the help of Fr. Mike Schmitz, we have the opportunity to read the Catechism together, and I encourage you to take that opportunity. I pray that we utilize the Catechism and The Catechism in a Year podcast to come to know, love, and believe in the teachings of the Church. Even more, I pray that we use this opportunity to seek her bridegroom, Christ Jesus, and come to love him through our study.
Why Should You Read the Catechism of the Catholic Church?
Why Should You Read the Catechism of the Catholic Church?
For the same reason that I should wipe the dust off of mine. Because we are called to both deeper intimacy with Christ and to tell the world that Jesus is Lord. Our world has often, in all of its changes and empty promises, forgotten who Jesus Christ is. It looks at broken members of the Church and sees an invention of history, an institution belonging to the past. But we know that the Church is alive, so we must learn the truth and then share it with others. We must show the world how to look at brokenness and see the promise of the Redeemer.
Reading the Catechism will only enrich your spiritual life. With the help of Fr. Mike Schmitz, we have the opportunity to read the Catechism together, and I encourage you to take that opportunity. I pray that we utilize the Catechism and The Catechism in a Year podcast to come to know, love, and believe in the teachings of the Church. Even more, I pray that we use this opportunity to seek her bridegroom, Christ Jesus, and come to love him through our study.
//Ascension//
The Great Drama of Light and Darkness at Advent
As we enter the final week of Advent and the nights grow rapidly darker and colder, let us remember that “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness; and the darkness grasped it not” (John 1:4-5). The Christ Child draws near and a new and glorious morn approaches. May we ready our hearts and minds.