2nd Sunday of Advent

  "A shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse." Is 11:1

When Isaiah promises that a new shoot will come from the stump of Jesse, he reminds all believers that God can make something extraordinary from nothing. At the same time, the prophet is not speaking about a miracle in a classic sense. Rather,  Isaiah wants us to remember what happens often in the natural world. There are trees with so much inner life that even when they seem dead, we can take one of their broken branches, stick it in the ground, water it often and before long  it takes root and becomes a young  tree.

The challenge to believe that God wants to do something great and new in us, even when we are tired and feeling ragged, is uplifting. God’s love is enduring and, like a broken  branch, stronger than we can imagine. We have only to plant and water it and it will take us to Christmas.

Plant a good deed in someone’s heart and let God do the rest.

Are there “miracles” in nature that remind you of God’s love?

St Francis Xavier

 "At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd." Mt 9:36

St Francis Xavier, one of the founders of the Jesuits along with St. Ignatius Loyola, was the among the first Jesuit missionaries. With his mind and spirit focused on going to China, Francis left Italy without language skills or money. Despite these difficulties, Francis kept his eye on the prize and at every stop along the way preached the gospel, baptizing thousands in India and Japan. That he never realized his dream of preaching the gospel to the Chinese seems insignificant now. He did God's will and that is all that matters.

Francis Xavier is a powerful reminder of what we can become when we place our total trust in God and let God do God's work wherever we are sent. None of us walks the pilgrim path of faith without obstacles. St. Augustine reminds us that we are like pieces of pottery, shaped by instruction and fired by tribulation, and should never fear the kiln. Rather, he encourages us to focus on what God is making of us while we are being tried by fire. (Augustine sermon)

Today, ask God to tell you where you ought to go to proclaim the gospel.

What are your strengths when trials come?

Opening our Eyes

 "As Jesus passed by, two blind men followed him." Mt 9:27

Sometimes the gospel stories seem stark, and lack detail. This makes sense of course when one remembers that only a few people in Jesus' time were literate, and the intention of the gospels was not to write a biography of Jesus but to announce him as Messiah, son of God and savior of the world. 

But the Gospels are not always stark. When the blind men today say, "have pity on us," we stumble upon an important detail and a telling moment. Not only is the request polite, they plead with Jesus to look upon people who are outcasts from their own family and community. Condemned to a life of begging and isolation, the blind men, like Moses, (Ex 33) beg Jesus for help, and become an example for all.

Jesus often reminds us that because we have eyes does not mean that we really see. Only those who see with the heart will experience the fullness of the revelation, and that is our task.

Today, open your eyes again to the wonder of the created world.

What blindness do you need to healed of as Advent begins?

The Rocks of Faith

 “Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock." Mt 7:24

Advent always challenges us to ask ourselves about the spiritual "rocks" of our lives. Caught up at times with getting ready for Christmas and determined to find the perfect gift for each person on our list, we give ourselves away. Too often we are more concerned with getting everything right than building our lives on the rocks of faith, prayer and service of those most in need, but perhaps this Advent will be different.

Even if we did run out on Black Friday for the great sales, we should not be too put off by our failures. God is waiting for us to turn away from the insanity of a society obsessed with bigger and better: homes, cars, portfolios and retirement plans, and ready to welcome us to a simple life of faith and hope as begin our Advent journey to the Crib. We can begin this journey anytime, even right now.

Today, examine the rocks upon which you build your faith life.

If people asked you why you believe and practice faith, what would you say?