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.
Fr. Luke Barder, OP, recalling that God said, "it is not good for man to be alone," reminds us that we are most fully ourselves and most fully God-like in relationship with others.
Welcoming us back into Ordinary Time, Fr. Luke Barder, OP challenges that we cannot access our own worth, and we should strive to see ourselves and others as God sees us.... all of infinite value.
