Dominican Friars
Province of St. Albert the Great, USA

A Word of Hope

25 Nov • The Transient & The Eternal: A Thanksgiving Reflection

A Word of Hope

on the transient nature of life and the importance of focusing on the eternal. Inspired by a Gospel passage and a powerful personal anecdote involving a near-miss accident, Father Andrew Carl reminds us that "none of us is promised the next five minutes." As we approach Thanksgiving, this reflection urges us to look beyond the temporary and embrace the essential blessings that truly come from God.

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**Chapters:**
0:00 Welcome & Introduction (Father Andrew Carl Wisdom, Last Week of Ordinary Time)
0:00:17 Gospel Message: The Passing Nature of All Things
0:00:53 Personal Anecdote: A Life-Changing Car Accident
0:01:47 The Core Message: "None of us is promised the next five minutes"
0:02:16 Treasuring Life: Focus on the Essential and Eternal
0:02:25 Thanksgiving Reflection: Being Grateful for True Blessings
0:02:48 Conclusion & Happy Thanksgiving

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A Word of Hope with dove

Every day the Chicago Dominicans offer "A Word of Hope" video to bolster our faith through these trying times. We welcome any feedback you have at hope@opcentral.org . You can see them all below, or you can see other preaching by a particular person by clicking on his name, and you can have them emailed to you each morning by signing up for our email service:

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  •

    A Word of Hope for April 14, 2023

    When Peter saw the risen Lord on the shore, he jumped out of the boat and swam to shore. Fr. Scott Steinkerchner, OP that we need to do the same when we encounter the risen Lord in our own lives—jump right in the water to get by Jesus' side, don't hesitate or take the sensible approach.
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    A Word of Hope for April 13, 2023

    Fr. Scott Steinkerchner, OP points out how it was difficult for the disciples to shift into completely believing in Jesus' resurrection, and we need to look at our hearts hearts and see if we have really understood the change it should bring about in our lives.
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    A Word of Hope for April 11, 2023

    Fr. Donald Goergen, OP explains that Jesus chose Mary Magdalene as the first preacher of the Resurrection, and so gave her an important role in the early Church. May we also celebrate the important role of women in our Church today.
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    A Word of Hope for April 10, 2023

    Fr. James Marchionda, OP points out how experiencing Jesus' resurrection turned Peter from bumbling to bold, and asks us to allow it to change us as well, so that we might not simply be recipients of the Resurrection, but bearers of it.
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    A Word of Hope for April 9, 2023

    Alleluia, the Lord is Risen! Fr. James Marchionda, OP proclaims this Easter message, but then asks us to sit and remember the places in our world where death still has a hold, and to wait in hope for the fulness of Resurrection to come.
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    A Word of Hope for April 7, 2023

    Br. Joe Trout, OP ponders the meaning of not celebrating the Eucharist on Good Friday, a day in which the Church "pauses" from celebrating this sacrament so that we can ponder better the sacrifice that made it possible.
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    A Word of Hope for April 4, 2023

    Fr. Andrew Carl Wisdom, OP challenges us to remain present during the whole of this Holy Week—whether we have the enduring faith of John, the fickle faith of Peter, or the broken faith of Judas—because God might just show up in the last 30 seconds to give us what we need.
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    A Word of Hope for March 29, 2023

    In today's Gospel, Jesus tells the people of his day who claim to have God as their Father, that if that were true, they would be living as God would have them live. Fr. Dominic Holtz, OP asks us to apply this same lesson in our own lives.
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    A Word of Hope for March 28, 2023

    Fr. Dominic Holtz, OP, recalling the lifting up of the bronze serpent in the desert to heal the people bitten by serpents, is not a cruel joke of God. Rather, it teaches us that our sins are not to be overlooked but redeemed, because even our worst rebellion, when joined with God's mercy, can be a source of salvation.
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    A Word of Hope for March 27, 2023

    Fr. Yamil Samalot Rivera, OP asks us to adopt the mind and heart of Jesus, who, when confronted with a woman "caught in the very act of adultery," did not condemn her, but in mercy offered her a new life. May we, in God's mercy, also offer a new life to those who need it most.
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    A Word of Hope for March 25, 2023

    Br. Ed Van Merrienboer, OP celebrates the Annunciation of the Lord, reminding us of how our salvation only came about because of Mary's "yes" to God's invitation, and how we should likewise say "yes" to God's invitation in our own lives.
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    A Word of Hope for March 24, 2023

    Br. Ed Van Merrienboer, OP notes the controversies surrounding Jesus—Some are impressed by his miracles while others see his interpretation of Judaism as a threat—and challenges all of us not to judge others too quickly, but to celebrate the good works they do.
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