Tag: Advent
How important are the things we save?
We all take care of the important things of life. We build our careers, care for our families and we hold on to items that we will need in the future. Recently my father-in-law passed away and I was helping my wife and sister-in-law in clean up the house. It is amazing how much we… Read More ›
St. Bernard reminds us to properly prepare for the Lord’s Coming
[Yet people] observe these days (Advent) out of stale routine, without devotion or emotion. Further—and still worse—the remembrance of this condescension is turned into a pretext for the flesh. During those days you may see them preparing splendid clothes and special foods with utmost care—as if Christ at his birth would be seeking these and… Read More ›
What the Lord has lost on my account
[God] had made only two noble creatures who were sharers in reason and capable of blessedness: angels and human beings. Yet on my account he has lost many of the angels and all of the human beings. Therefore, so that they may know that I love the Father, let those whom he seems somehow to… Read More ›
Come, Lord Jesus
Heaven at present is out of sight, but in due time, as snow melts and discovers what it lay upon, so will this visible creation fade away before those greater splendours which are behind it, and on which at present it depends. In that day shadows will retire, and the substance show itself. The sun… Read More ›
Prayer for Advent
Lord, I entreat, be pleased to rescue me, for I am weak, for I was stolen away out of my homeland and, being innocent, was cast here into this pit. No, not entirely innocent, yet innocent enough in comparison with the one who led me astray. I was taken in by a life, Lord. Let… Read More ›
Advent Message from St. Benedict: Slow down, be quiet and pay attention
The word Advent is derived from two Latin words: ad venire, which mean, “to come towards.. During the four weeks of Advent, we contemplate the coming towards us of the One who is Lord of Lords and King of Kings. As with so many of the activities of God, who was and who is and… Read More ›
Evergreens and The Advent Wreath
The Advent wreath is an increasingly popular symbol of the beginning of the Church year in many churches as well as homes. It is a circular evergreen wreath (real or artificial) with five candles, four around the wreath and one in the center. Since the wreath is symbolic and a vehicle to tell the Christmas… Read More ›
Psalm 24(23): The Lord enters his temple!
1. The ancient chant of the People of God that we just heard, resounded in the temple of Jerusalem. To be able to grasp the main thrust of the prayer, we have to keep in mind three basic affirmations. The first is the truth of creation: God has created the world and is its Lord…. Read More ›
Witness to the Word: A Reflection on the Incarnation with Father Dwight Longenecker
Come “prepare the way of the Lord” in your mind and heart with our very special Advent Morning of Reflection, beginning at 9 a.m. on December 3rd in the Haid Theatre at Belmont Abbey College. Join Father Dwight Longenecker for two inspiring talks exploring four powerful witnesses to the Incarnation of the Word among us:… Read More ›
Astounded
As I age (I have just turned 62), I find myself being astounded at the turn of events in my life. In the past, when I went to the doctor, it was a simple matter of going in and getting a clean bill of health; it was expected and I was not disappointed. Then when… Read More ›