Advent – Season of Hope Mary appeared to Juan Diego at Guadalupe. She came in a format he could understand, in colors and symbols that resonated with his Indian background and in doing so she united a culture, transformed a country, presenting Christianity in a way that could be understood by all of Mexico. She […]
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Advent – Season of Hope The baby’s cries of abandonment echo down the stairs, soothed only by his mother’s quick return and comforting embrace. “I did not abandon you, little one. I only left you for a brief moment. And see, now I am back. I will never abandon you. I will never be more […]
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Advent – Season of Hope I am so weary from the constant demands that life places on me–demands that never stop, just change. I am tired from household tasks, from endless clutter, from expectations for the picture perfect Christmas! I am weary with my job, and in my weariness I am overlooking so many details. […]
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Advent – Season of Hope The old woman rocks in her rocker, engulfed in the folds of the afghan, keeping warm in the womb of this house she has called home for so many years. She has lived here for so many decades–lived and loved and raised her children. And now her children return to […]
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Advent Season of Hope Mary, vessel of God, born without sin, she was destined from her birth for greatness. God blessed her in a special way to be fit to be mother of his son. Even in her mother’s womb, she was destined for greatness, great joy as well as great sorrow, great trials. Somehow […]
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Advent – Season of Hope A teenager dies in a car accident. Another country announces nuclear capability. Floods, forest fires, and famine claim untold lives. The world as we know it can change with the wrong turn of a car, with the flick of a switch, with being in the wrong place at the wrong […]
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Advent – Season of Hope Jolly old St. Nicholas, giver of gifts. What a delightful surprise to wake up to small gifts in our shoes, a tribute to Nicholas, bishop. How we wash down and sanitize great saints over the ages, turning this brave man into a “jolly old elf,” with red suit and beard […]
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Advent – Season of Hope Who speaks to me? Someone I can trust? Will the words I hear withstand the test of time? Will they lead me to salvation–or despair? Who do I hear speaking to me in my darkness, speaking words of comfort, of hope? I want so much to believe what I hear, […]
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Advent – Season of Hope “Come, Lord Jesus,” she remembered teaching her children to sing as preschoolers as she lit the Advent wreath. It had been such a struggle to maintain some semblance of order for even five minutes, much less a semblance of prayer. She wondered, had it been worth the hassle, the struggle […]
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Advent – Season of Hope They were relieved to finally sit down after the day of Christmas shopping. The church was quiet as worshipers slipped into pews. It was a quiet oasis after fighting crowds and listening to Christmas “musak” all day. The plaintive strains of “O Come, O Come Emmanuel,” began, the first candle […]
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