Gospel Reflections for December 3 2017
Be alert! Be ready!
These are strong warnings in the Gospel, so you should carefully consider them. Who or what should you be looking for?
Maybe you are already especially alert to Christmas sales. That is always a good thing! Christmas gifts thoughtfully considered are a beautiful way to express your love for your family and friends.
Advent is a season that focuses on alertness. After all, someone important is about to arrive in Bethlehem …and He wants to arrive in your heart as well. We don’t want to miss Him!
I remember having dinner with good friends in a restaurant in Hollywood years ago. Everyone was excited that there was a famous star having dinner in the restaurant as well. Typically, when that happens, someone tips off the paparazzi and news photographers. They sit outside waiting for that famous person to leave and then take their picture. They were alert! Well, it happened that our group left first, and I was first out the door. As I walked out …they all excitedly jumped up …only to turn away in disappointment …that it was just me!
They were disappointed that they missed the person they were waiting for …let that not happen to us!
This is a time to focus on the people right around you that you do not want to ever miss. Are you taking anyone near you for granted? Perhaps not paying attention to them as you should? Are you focused on Christmas details too much and missing the real people in your life? This is the time to make changes in what you are focused on.
The people in your family are deeply loved by Our Lord. That truly makes them stars. Pay attention to them. You are also deeply loved by God. That makes you a star in God’s eyes as well. He pays attention to you!
Our Lord wants you to be alert to all the many opportunities you have every day to love more joyfully, forgive more freely, and understand more deeply your relationship with Him. That is always good thing to do!
Advent is a season that reminds us especially not to miss the person of Our Lord, and precisely in the places where He told us He could be found, in the scriptures, and in the Eucharist at Mass.
Being alert pays off in happiness!
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
Talking about stars–we have the Star of Bethlehem to follow during Advent.
Yes, of course! Thanks for pointing that out.
Thank you Father Dave- your reminder is timeless, sharing with my children as well so we won’t miss the real alertness in our lives . Iam viewing and re- viewing my the Holy Land pictures as we prepare during advent. My grandchildren will be surprised as they receive their HL ornaments tomorrow
At the first Sunday of Advent. Thank you again for the trip of my lifetime.
Filomena
I am so glad you joined our last trip, and deeply honored that you are sharing with your children.
Fr. Dave
I am so grateful that Jesus is my rockstar. He shines all the time.
My husband had a procedure this week. After I was so happy singing my Divine Mercy in the garden at the hospital. It gives me the strength to be alert to everything going on in life.
May this advent be a blessed time in whole word.
Peace of Christ
Jane
Bless you abundantly !!!
Jane
Bless you Fr. Dave abundantly !!
Thanks for your message. Please be assurred of my prayers for Ralph.
Dear Father Dave,
Strange … I posted a comment and it vanished. Shall try again!
Enjoyed your metaphor! Although it is a shame that celebrities are plagued by paparazzi.
Jesus drew crowds, too, but for different reasons.
Yes, Advent is a beautiful time of the year to love, appreciate, and anticipate The celebration of Christmas.
God bless you.
I apologize for the vanished comment. Not sure why that happened. I hope this one stays! Yes, I agree that it is a shame how paparazzi hound celebrities who simply want to enjoy a quiet dinner.
We sure miss you here.
Many great memories at St. Max, St. Jude’s, and St. Paschal’s. Now new memories form at St. Bruno.
Hi Father Dave. I see that my Women’s Bible Study group leader (Jeannie) has posted…she is such a wonderful leader. We do miss you at St. Max. and hope you visit us soon again.
I had a wonderful time at Padre Serra Parish today viewing the No Room at the Inn display. My first time to look at the hundreds of nativities presented in beautiful sceneries. Many are from all corner of our earth. The handmade nativities from Israel were exceptional. I felt such a connection with my fellow Christians as I looked at their creativity and designs from their country. The poor countries used materials such as trees, pea pods, bamboo, clay, and cactus plants to help build their nativity scene. I took pictures and I am going to post them on my facebook to share. I felt the presence of our Lord while viewing the nativities and the live Xmas music singing in the background. Such an amazing and blessed day.
What a beautiful message you wrote! I remember the “No Room at the Inn” display well, and thought it captured the idea that Our Lord means to come into every home and culture around the world so well. I am glad you enjoyed it.
People from a parish church in Santa Clara last Sunday were listening to a priest’s sermon, that the Gospel was indeed all about us getting ready to meet our maker. That, his emphasis was about our souls should be spotless on the day of our judgement., And that life was so short and that we should all repent, because we can be snapped any time. And at that very time we might warrant hell or heaven based on how God is pleased or displeased with us. I really don’t know if that is the true message of Advent. If it is, I guess i’ll be spending an eternity in purgatory….I hope not!
Our priest’s talk was quite contrary to your approach of God wanting to meet us. Advent is a reflection of that, and that’s why we needed to know what we’re really focusing on. As you’ve written “Are you focused on Christmas details too much and missing the real people in your life? This is the time to make changes in what you are focused on.”
I believe that your explanation of last Sundays gospel reflects a more candid approach for us in becoming fully human and fully alive this advent season and beyond.
Thank you! I am glad you liked my reflections. Advent is a very important yearly reminder to reflect on just the tings you mention.