This is how the rich pursue God: self-sufficiently, driven on by the conquest of curiosity, inevitably instrumentalizing the knowledge they seem to acquire for their own self-satisfaction. The poor of the Lord, however, must take another path: the path of the wise men. Matthew 2: 1-12 gives us the only narrative in the gospels of [...]
Come out of the shadow of death, out of the darkness of sin, to take our place beside Zechariah, Joseph, and John the Baptist, and cast our eyes on the grace-filled sunrise which begins now in the crooked crib of a newborn babe. Luke 1: 67-79 is a moment of prophetic insight and praise, as [...]
When Joseph obeyed the command of the angel in his dream, he was following a long tradition of obedience to God’s messengers. He could not, like Mary, reverse the disobedience of our first parents by his simple consent to God’s plan. Today’s gospel (Matthew 1: 18-24) relates the circumstances in which Joseph considered “putting Mary [...]
The genealogy of Jesus, so strange upon our ear, is no excursion into mere curiosity or arcane trivia. It is the unfolding and making known of the tale of God’s mercies down the centuries, told out in the lives of the many most of whose names are known to God alone and who lie in [...]
Waiting with Our Lady for the coming of Our Saviour, we will meditate each day of Advent on a different aspect of the circumstances of His birth, the moment of The Incarnation amongst us. Reflection: ANGELS Invite the angels to adore God with you. Today, be aware of the Divine indwelling on your soul. Prayer: [...]
Waiting with Our Lady for the coming of Our Saviour, we will meditate each day of Advent on a different aspect of the circumstances of His birth, the moment of The Incarnation amongst us. Reflection: ST. JOSEPH Accompany Joseph from door to door. Learn from his example how to bear refusals and disappointments silently and [...]
Waiting with Our Lady for the coming of Our Saviour, we will meditate each day of Advent on a different aspect of the circumstances of His birth, the moment of The Incarnation amongst us. Reflection: THE KEY Provide the stable with a key to keep out thieves. Today, try to keep from your heart any [...]
Waiting with Our Lady for the coming of Our Saviour, we will meditate each day of Advent on a different aspect of the circumstances of His birth, the moment of The Incarnation amongst us. Reflection: SHEPHERDS Invite shepherds to pay homage to our newborn King, imitating their patient waiting and watchfulness. Remember Jesus will be [...]
Waiting with Our Lady for the coming of Our Saviour, we will meditate each day of Advent on a different aspect of the circumstances of His birth, the moment of The Incarnation amongst us. Reflection: GIFTS Gather some presents for the Divine Infant by making a charitable donation or saying a decade of the rosary [...]
How, we wonder, can we know the lightness of His burden and the easiness of His yoke? Unless we are gifted by some special grace, this is not the work of one day or one night. We must surrender to the divine pedagogy, to the training that He offers us every day. Matthew 11: 28-30 [...]
Waiting with Our Lady for the coming of Our Saviour, we will meditate each day of Advent on a different aspect of the circumstances of His birth, the moment of The Incarnation amongst us. Reflection: PROVISIONS Bring a supply of food to the crib: eat a little less today than you would normally do. Prayer: [...]
Waiting with Our Lady for the coming of Our Saviour, we will meditate each day of Advent on a different aspect of the circumstances of His birth, the moment of The Incarnation amongst us. Reflection: WATER Bring fresh, clean water to the crib by avoiding every untruthful word or act. Be honest in all you [...]
Waiting with Our Lady for the coming of Our Saviour, we will meditate each day of Advent on a different aspect of the circumstances of His birth, the moment of The Incarnation amongst us. Reflection: FUEL Keep the crib of your heart warm by giving up your own will. Today, do whatever you are asked [...]
Waiting with Our Lady for the coming of Our Saviour, we will meditate each day of Advent on a different aspect of the circumstances of His birth, the moment of The Incarnation amongst us. Reflection: SWADDLING CLOTHES Prepare swaddling clothes for the Infant Jesus by remaining still and attentive when you pray, praying slowly and [...]