Tuesday 3rd Week of Advent

 The Father’s Will Mt. 21:28-32

There was work to do in the vineyard and the father asked his two sons for help. 

One said yes to the Father and then did not go. 

The other said no to the Father but later went. 

Neither of the two sons deserve much credit

The Father’s Will was really not utmost in either of the two sons. 

Is the Father’s Will utmost in our hearts or do we 

Hesitate or have to think about it?

We should say Yes! At the beginning and then go 

Because the sole desire of our hearts is Our Heavenly Father’s Will. 

Monday 3rd week of Advent

Stars Num. 24:17

The prophet Balaam prophesied that a star would go before Jacob. 

Nowadays it is hard to see stars because of all the light shining on our streets. 

The glare of material things;

The shine of being popular;

The bright lights of being number one;

Or an influencer on social media or just around the kitchen table or the bar,

All blinds us to the Light of Christ. 

His Star will only rise in our hearts

If we are willing to walk out not the darkness and the desert and leave the lights of the city and the world behind!

Third Sunday of Advent

Faith and doubts. Mt. 11:2-11

John the Baptist was a voice crying out in the wilderness;

Calling people to repent of their sins. 

The Pharisees were a brood of vipers. 

And Nothing could silence him. 

Until now. 

Now he finds himself chained up in prison

Waiting to be beheaded. 

And in the darkness he wonders;

Is Jesus the One? Mt. 11:3

Things did not turn out the way John thought they would. 

So he begins to have his doubts. 

He thought Jesus was going to cut down the rotten tree

And burn the chaff;

Instead Jesus forgave sinners;

Preached to the poor;

And opens the eyes of the blind. 

Jesus tells John not to take offense that He has decided to do things differently than he expected. 

When we are young,

The wind of youth fills our sails;

And we set out on the journey of life;

And then things don’t turn out as we expected. 

And like John, we too begin to have our doubts about God. 

But neither we should take offense that God does things differently than what we expect.

For one day;

God will forgive the sins of our youth;

And opens our eyes;

And we will hear His voice

And leap like the stag;

And our doubts will disappear. 

As we see all that God has planned for those who love Him. 

Saturday 2nd Week of Advent

 

The Alma Redemptoris Mater is one of the many antiphons devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is sung after Compline (also called Night Prayer) from Advent until the Feast of the Presentation. Traditionally, the antiphon is attributed to the 11th century monk Hermann Contractus. Another historical marker of the antiphon is in literature. Chaucer made a passing allusion to the antiphon in his late 14th century work, The Canterbury Tales, in the Prioress’ Tale.  

Prayer : 

Loving mother of the Redeemer,

gate of heaven, star of the sea,

assist your people who have fallen yet strive to rise again.

To the wonderment of nature you bore your Creator,

Yet remained a virgin after as before.

You who received Gabriel's joyful greeting,

have pity on us poor sinners. Amen

Our Lady of Guadalupe

 
The Message of Our Lady. 

Hear me and understand well, my little child, that nothing should frighten or grieve you. 

Do not let your heart be disturbed. 

Do not fear any other sickness or anguish. 

Am I not here, who is your Mother? 

Are you not under my protection? 

Am I not your health? 

Are you not happily within my fold? 

What else do you wish? 

Do not grieve nor be disturbed by anything

Thursday Second Week of Advent

 I Will. Is. 41:13-20

When we are afraid

It is important to remember what God will do for us. 

As Isaiah the prophet reminded Israel when it was afraid. 

God will help us;

God will answer us;

God will not forsake us;

God will make rivers flow

And deserts spring to life;

For the Lord is gracious and merciful. 

Wednesday 2nd Week of Advent

Our Lady of Loretto 

Legend has it that angels took the house where Mary lived in the Holy Land and carried it to Loretto in Italy.  

This may seem hard to believe,

But St. Joseph of Cupertino a Conventual Franciscan 

Would look out of his window,

And he would see angels going up and down from heaven 

Where the shrine was. 

If Mary is in our hearts,

Then there will be angels surrounding us

And going up and down from heaven,

For Mary is the Queen of Angels,

And wherever she is, 

Angels are always found.