Gospel Reflections for November 27 2016
Is this the right direction?
I hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving. I also want to especially welcome home all those who had the courage, stamina, and time to travel in this hectic holiday season. We know how difficult that can be!
Today’s Gospel, and this whole Season of Advent, invites you to reflect on your life in a deeper way. Stepping away occasionally from your regular job or normal schedule is healthy and wise. We can sometimes get so caught up in daily chores that we lose sight of the bigger picture. We sometimes need to get away from especially busy schedules so that we can see them in a new and objective light. That helps us ask just the right questions to make sure we are on the right track.
- Is this the schedule I should have to achieve the goals I want?
- Are these the good and moral people I should be associating with?
- Is this the right direction my life should be going?
These questions are a good start, and the answers will be helpful, but they should also lead to the most important question of all.
- Am I getting closer …or further away from God?
(God is always in the same place, so it must be me that is either moving closer or further!)
This Advent Season might be a good time to remember why the Church is filled with the color purple. It comes from the color of the sky just before dawn, between the blackness of night and the bright light of sunrise. For thousands of years, people have found this early morning time useful for quiet meditation and interior reflection. Maybe because this “purple sky time” is outside the normal day’s schedule people have used it prepare themselves on a deeper level. Why rush into the day if we don’t know why we are doing …whatever it is that we’re doing!
Sunday Mass is a perfect one hour event each week that connects us with the God of the universe and the creator of the very life we have. I hope the Sundays of Advent will help re-orient yourself so that you can celebrate Christmas, and especially start the New Year with confidence, courage, hope, and, above all, a spirit of joy!
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
Father Dave, as usual your advent words are an inspiration for me and yes Advent is the special time of the year to redirect my life and try to inspire just the same to my family.
So thank you for being there for all of us who follow your writings.
May God bless you and keep you healthy always.
Joe G.
You are most welcome!
Your words inspire us to make this time of Advent one of especial
faithfulness to the leading of God in our situation. Thank you for all the years of good sheparding of us! Blessinga, Joyce and David Bock
A blessed Advent!
Thank you, Fr Dave!
As I was leaving work tonight, one of my co-workers asked if I was working tomorrow. I said no, because it is the first Sunday of Advent and I need to go to Mass. She was shocked that Advent started tomorrow and mentioned that she hadn’t gotten together her Advent grab bag for her daughter. It is full of presents to be given to her, one each day during Advent. I am always a bit startled when people who are “religious” but do not practice a faith within a church community, secularise religious events. No mention of preparing our hearts for the birth of Christ. It seems to be all about the getting and the thought of giving to others and preparing a place for our Savior is ignored. Thank you so much for re-focusing our hearts! I love to hear you on the radio! You always say the right thing to fill my heart!
Eileen Pratt
Thanks for your message. I am glad you are enjoying the radio show as well!
I’m excited to put up the Nativity set tomorrow plus the Advent wreath. This will make the “Coming” more exciting.
Yes, looking at the Nativity scene each day helps give this Advent time just the right spiritual focus.
Between your reflection and the Priest thaT gaVE our seminar last week, it is a good reminder that this is a time to reflect. Nothing like starting out on Christmas with a clean slate. Thanks and I hope you had a blessed Thanksgiving.
A blessed Advent to you as well!
Fr. Dave,
As always, very insightful and reflective.
With deep admiration of the light within you (albeit “purple” this occasion:-)
I remain with great esteem for all you do – keep up the good works!
A blessed Advent to you!
How beautiful. I never realized the association between the color purple and tranquility and reflection. Rick and I will embark on a cruise from Argentina in a few days. We will be gone for almost the entirety of Advent. I have to admit I was reluctant to leave my familiar traditions to travel during the holidays.. However, your gospel reflection sheds new perception as I will be disengaging from the mundane and the familiar. I will have plenty of time to reflect and analyze my current position in life and prepare for this sacred time of Advent. We wish you a wonderful Christmas season.
Travel safely. I’m sure each day will bring a new adventure and contribute to the Advent of Christmas.
Thank you!
You should be able to see some great occasions of a purple sky out on the ocean. I will bet it will be very beautiful, and meditative.
Good morning, Father Dave. Thanks so much for your insightful comments to help us in our preparation for Christmas.
On another note: Yesterday, my husband and I were driving home from Castro Valley (approximately 400 miles from Westlake Village). The day was rainy with occasional heavy squalls of blinding rain in Atascadero. I’m very skittish on the Grade, so I prayed that the rain would let up so we could drive safely on that huge stretch of steep highway. As we approached the top of the hill, the rain stopped. Then, as we were about to descend, the sun came out! Clearly a gift … a vista of green mountains drenched in brilliance. Dark gray clouds hovered, and as soon as we reached the bottom, (yes) the rain, once again, started. It was an incredible example of God’s listening heart.
Beautifully written. God is always working miracles in our lives.
Yes, every day a miracle or two.
How wonderful that you had just the weather you needed to get over the grade. I am sure your Advent will be blessed!
Thanks Fr. Dave. You gave all of us a good beginning to the important and wondrous season of Advent.
Have a Blessed Advent!
Thank you Fr. Dave for your inspiring words for us to think about
during the season of Advent as we await His coming!
You are our spiritual link to keep us focused on what really matters.
A blessed Advent to you.
Love your Reflection Father Dave!!Life is such a precious gift!!!To become immersed in the precious Masses of Advent and recognize the miracle gift we have in Jesus who radiates love in our hearts is sooooooooooooooooooo overwhelmingly beaautiful!!!! We are soooooooo blessed with our God, our Jesus,, our Blessed Mother, our Advent and Christmas of love!!!It is up to us to live with courage, hope and joy with these beautiful miracles in our life!!! A most beautiful Advent and Christmas of love to you!!
Loveeeeeee, franca
Thank you!
Your words were so necessary and timely. The new year is a great time to get closer to the Lord.
Thank you!