On the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God ("Theotokos" in Greek), we ponder how closely that connected her with God, and then, remembering that we are also God's children by adoption, we are invited to acknowledge our own closeness to God.
On this Feast of the Holy Family, we reflect on how we learn our faith and how to love and how to forgive in our families, which is why it is called the "domestic church."
As Jesus cured the deaf and the mute, at baptism we pray the "ephratah", blessing the ears that they might receive the Word of God and the mouth that is might proclaim it. After baptism, we never lose this intimate connection to God.
Isaiah prophesies a time when the Spirit of the Lord will come upon the world and bring a peace so profound that "the wolf shall be a guest of the lamb." This Advent, we are challenged to open ourselves to the Gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus challenges his disciples not to look back, but to keep going whatever comes. To be Christian, we must find mercy and love in our hearts in the midst of trials, even if no one else respects that, for love and mercy is our call and our ultimate gift to the world.
St. Paul encourages us to "hold on to what is good," but sometimes, we get discouraged and don't know why we should even try. J.R. Tolkien gives voice to a reason.
Jesus tells us, "blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it." This could apply to us as much as it applies to every saint, if we let it.
Jesus asks, “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ but not do what I command?" One reason is because we do not trust that God loves us. If you are having trouble trusting in God, maybe go to Mary and let her show you the way.
Fr. Luke Barder, OP, citing the words of the Prophet Micah to shepherd the poor, and the example of St. Margaret of Castello doing just that, encourages us to have a face-to-face encounter with the poor this Lent.
Fr. Luke Barder, OP asks us to think about what saps our faith, and then to have the courage to take that to God in prayer, and ask God to offer us a solution, rather than trying to solve it for ourselves.
