Dominican Friars

Province of St. Albert the Great, USA

A Word of Hope

16 December • The True Meaning of Gift Giving

Welcome to "A Word of Hope" for Tuesday, December 16th, in the Third Week of Advent. As the season of gift-giving reaches its peak and many of us scramble to find those final presents, this reflection invites us to pause and consider the deeper spiritual meaning behind the exchange.

In today's reflection, we explore gift-giving as a "love language"—a way to make others feel seen, heard, and known. We contrast the self-interest mentioned in the Prophet Zephaniah with the ultimate self-gift: The Mystery of the Incarnation. God set aside His divinity not for His own need, but for ours.

Join us as we discuss how to move beyond giving mere objects to giving the precious gift of yourself and your love this Christmas season.

**📅 Video Timeline:**
0:00 - Introduction: The Scramble for Gifts
0:20 - Gift Giving as a Love Language
0:51 - The Power of Feeling Seen and Known
1:30 - Scripture: Self-Interest vs. Self-Gift
1:42 - The Mystery of the Incarnation
2:10 - The Prophet Zephaniah & The Prideful
2:38 - God Sees Us Without Self-Interest
3:06 - The Challenge: Giving the Gift of Yourself

**Hashtags:**
#Advent #AWordOfHope #GiftGiving #LoveLanguages #Incarnation #Catholic #DailyReflection #SpiritualGrowth #ChristmasPrep #Zephaniah

You can find all A Word of Hope videos at https://opcentral.org/hope

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:

13 May • Spiritual Winter: Finding Hope in Every Season of the Soul | Tuesday 4th Week of Easter

May 13, 2025 by Fr. Charles Bouchard, OP

Uncover a hidden gem in John 10:22-30—the seemingly small detail that "it was winter" during the Feast of the Dedication. What does this reveal about the seasons of our spiritual lives?
12 May • Jesus the Good Shepherd: Hear His Voice & Follow

May 12, 2025 by Fr. Tom Lynch, OP

Jesus declares that his sheep hear his voice. Through a touching story about a young boy struggling to herd sheep, Fr. Lynch illustrates how God calls each of us by name and invites us to listen to His voice.
11 May • Mothers as Shepherds: A Beautiful Homily for Mother’s Day & Good Shepherd Sunday

May 11, 2025 by Fr. Tom Lynch, OP

Weaving together two profound themes: Mother’s Day and Good Shepherd Sunday. Reflecting on a touching encounter with a young shepherdess in Bolivia, Fr. Lynch draws a powerful parallel between the love of mothers and the care of the Good Shepherd for His flock.
10 May • Beyond Heavenly Rest: Tabitha & The TRUE Hope of Resurrection

May 10, 2025 by Br. Joseph Trout, OP

We often imagine a devout person passing away and entering a "heavenly reward" or peaceful, disembodied rest. Yet, in the Acts of the Apostles (cf. Acts 9:36-43), when the beloved and charitable Tabitha (Dorcas) dies, St. Peter miraculously raises her back to this life. Why would he do this if she was already destined for heavenly peace? Was it simply so she could continue her work?
9 May • Eating Living Christ: The Truth of the Eucharist

May 9, 2025 by Br. Joseph Trout, OP

What does it truly mean to receive the Eucharist? Br. Joe Trout, OP, explores Jesus' challenging words in John 6 about eating His flesh and drinking His blood. This Easter season reflection from "Word of Hope" highlights a key difference: unlike ordinary food, the Eucharist is the living Christ. Discover how receiving this divine life transforms us, makes us new, and is the source of our hope for resurrection. It's not just bread; it's the power of Christ's eternal life within us.
8 May • I Am the Bread of Life: Finding Eternal Nourishment

May 8, 2025 by Fr. Brendan Curran, OP

Delve into Jesus' profound statement from the Gospel of John: "I am the bread of life." Discover what it means to be nourished by Christ for eternal life and how we, like the indigenous communities in Chiapas, are called to share the blessings we've received.
7 May • From Persecuted Church to Global Witness

May 7, 2025 by Fr. Brendan Curran, OP

In this reflection, Fr. Curran draws inspiration from the Acts of the Apostles (cf. Acts 8:1b-8), highlighting the courage of St. Philip. Following the martyrdom of St. Stephen and amidst the persecution of the early Christian church, Philip boldly went to Samaria to proclaim the Good News of God's healing love, transforming lives even in the face of threats and shaming.
6 May • Trust & Charity: St. Stephen & the Bread of Life | Easter Tuesday, Week 3

May 6, 2025 by Fr. Andrew Carl Wisdom, OP

St. Stephen, approaching his martyrdom, confronts the "stiff-necked people" who resist the Holy Spirit. Despite their hostility, Stephen, filled with the Spirit, sees Jesus in glory and prays with profound trust ("Lord Jesus, receive my spirit") and charity ("Lord, do not hold this sin against them"), even as Saul (St. Paul) looks on.
05 May • Bread of Life Discourse: Believing in the One God Sent

May 5, 2025 by Fr. Greg Heille, OP

This "Word of Hope" message from Fr. Greg Heille, OP, for the Monday of the Third Week of Easter, delves into the beginning of Jesus's profound Bread of Life discourse in John Chapter 6. Fr. Greg reflects on the miraculous feeding of the 5000 and Jesus walking on water, leading into Jesus's teaching about the food that endures for eternal life.
04 May • Easter Hope: Pope Francis & Finding Jesus Everywhere

May 4, 2025 by Fr. Greg Heille, OP

In this "Word of Hope" message for the Third Sunday of Easter, Fr. Greg Heille, OP, reflects on the Gospel account of Jesus appearing to his disciples by the Sea of Tiberias and the miraculous catch of fish. Drawing on the final preachings of Pope Francis, Fr. Greg explores how the risen Christ is present in our ordinary lives and calls the resurrection the "turning point of history."
03 May • Finding God in Relationship, Not Just Proof

May 3, 2025 by Fr. Samuel Hakeem, OP

Do you ever wish you could just see God to make faith easier? On the Feast of St. Philip and St. James (Saturday, May 3, 2025), Fr. Samuel Hakeem OP reflects on this common desire through the lens of St. Philip's request, "Show us the Father." Discover Jesus' powerful response as he points away from external proof towards the depth of their existing relationship.
02 May • Gamaliel's Wisdom: Why Our Faith Endures

May 2, 2025 by Fr. Samuel Hakeem, OP

Discover the profound wisdom offered by Gamaliel to the Sanhedrin: if this movement is merely human, it will fail like others before (Theudas, Judas the Galilean); but if it is from God, you cannot stop it! Fr. Hakeem highlights how the Church's endurance for over 2,000 years, despite immense challenges, is powerful testimony that our faith is from God.
1 May • Filled with the Spirit: Preaching Boldly in the Easter Season

May 1, 2025 by Fr. Louis Morrone, OP

In the second week of Easter, we hear from the Acts of the Apostles about the disciples' boldness in the face of opposition and from the Gospel about God's abundant gift of the Holy Spirit.
30 April • From Pope Pius V to Pope Francis: Go Out & Evangelize!

Apr 30, 2025 by Fr. Luke Barder, OP

This homily connects the bold actions of the apostles in the first reading (Acts) and Jesus's own mission ("God so loved the world" from John) to Pope Francis's vision for a Church that reaches beyond itself.
29 April • St. Catherine of Siena & Pope Francis: Bridge-builders in Times of Division

Apr 29, 2025 by Fr. Luke Barder, OP

On the Feast Day of St. Catherine of Siena (April 29th), and during the nine days of mourning for Pope Francis, this Word of Hope reflects on two powerful figures who called for unity, mercy, and charity in divided times. Just as St. Catherine was a voice for truth and a bridgebuilder 700 years ago, Pope Francis emphasized these same virtues, reminding us that we are all brothers and sisters.
28 April • Born from Above - Like the Wind

Apr 28, 2025 by Fr. Dominic Holtz, OP

Today's Gospel features the famous dialogue between Jesus and Nicodemus about being "born again" or, more accurately, "born from above" (John 3). Jesus uses the analogy of the wind: "The Spirit blows where it wills... you do not know where it comes from or where it goes."
27 April • Blessed Are Those Who Believe Without Seeing

Apr 27, 2025 by Fr. Dominic Holtz, OP

While we might wish for individual, private appearances of the Risen Lord, God's design for faith is communal. We are meant to come to faith through the shared testimony and proclamation of others—like the apostles (including Thomas after his encounter) and St. John writing the Book of Revelation. Faith isn't meant to be lived "siloed."
26 April • Easter Hope & Farewell to Pope Francis: Jesus Appears to Disciples

Apr 26, 2025 by Fr. James Marchionda, OP

Join us for a Word of Hope on this significant Saturday of the Octave of Easter, as we reflect on the glorious resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ and commemorate the funeral mass of our beloved Holy Father, Pope Francis.
25 April • A Reflection on Overcoming Fear

Apr 25, 2025 by Fr. James Marchionda, OP

This reflection touches upon the courage, kindness, and compassion shown by leaders, drawing inspiration from figures like Pope Francis.
24 April • "Peace Be With You": Christ's Easter Greeting Explained

Apr 24, 2025 by Fr. Bob Keller, OP

What is the true meaning of the Risen Christ's first words, "Peace be with you"? This isn't just a casual greeting; it's the profound gift resulting from Christ's harrowing journey through suffering and death, ultimately conquering both sin and the grave.
23 April • Finding Christ on the Road to Emmaus

Apr 23, 2025 by Fr. Bob Keller, OP

We all know what it means to be "downcast" – facing loss, disappointment, or shattered hopes, just like the two disciples leaving Jerusalem after Jesus' brutal execution. Fr. Bob explores how the Risen Christ meets them in their despair, walking alongside them even when they don't recognize Him.
22 April • Easter Hope vs. The Secular Age: Finding More

Apr 22, 2025 by Fr. Jordan DeGuire, OP

The Resurrection fundamentally challenges a limited worldview. The Risen Christ embodies both the familiar and the radically new, demonstrating that reality extends far beyond what we can see and touch.
21 April • Finding Hope When God Feels Distant: Your Spiritual Galilee

Apr 21, 2025 by Fr. Jordan DeGuire, OP

Christ is Risen, Alleluia! But what happens when faith feels difficult or God seems distant? In this Easter Octave Monday reflection from Fr. Jordan DeGuire, OP, discover the powerful message of hope in Jesus' command to the disciples: "Go to Galilee."
20 April • Bees, Frogs & Alleluias: An Easter Homily Celebrating All Creation

Apr 20, 2025 by Fr. Greg Heille, OP

Alleluia! Christ is Risen! In this expansive Easter homily, Fr. Greg connects the liturgical celebrations of Easter with the joyful response of all creation. From the Easter Vigil candle wax ("work of bees") praised in the Exultet, to a personal memory of frogs singing at the Easter fire.

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