With Christmas just around the corner, the waiting days of Advent are coming to an end. It is not at all surprising that Mary should be the focus of today’s reading because no one could explain the meaning of Christmas better than she. Mary’s visitation to her cousin Elizabeth was much more than a story of two women sharing the joys of child bearing. It was a story of faith, friendship and human love.
It is truly amazing that Elizabeth clearly recognizes that Mary is carrying Jesus, when she says,” How is it that the mother of my Lord should come to me?”
What a beautiful welcome the unborn Christ received in the home of Elizabeth. This was certainly a sharp contrast to the cool welcome He would receive in Bethlehem where there was no room in the inn.
Mary gave the world the gift of Jesus and so must we. We are signs of God’s presence when we give ourselves to others; when we invite a lonely neighbor or friend to our Christmas table; when we enrich the lives of family and friends with ministries of caring and service and when we do good purely out of love, affection, and a spirit of giving. What better time is there to do this than Christmas! Our Christmas celebrations will have meaning if Christ is being born in our hearts and our gift giving will have purpose if God is part of the giving. Friends, as Advent comes to a close, let us do what Mary did, bring love, warmth, and comfort to someone who either needs or desires our company.
Into our Christmas preparation come, Lord, come.
Sr. Geraldine Calabrese, MPF
© 2006
The theme of today’s liturgy is rejoice and be glad. However, since sadness is so much a part of the fabric of life, we have the tendency to ask,” What reasons do we have to be happy?”
Yes, there are times when personal, family, or world situations leave us no space for joy. It is in such times that we learn that life is a bitter sweet mixture of joy and sorrow. Christian joy, however, is not the absence of sorrow, pain, or suffering.
It is the awareness of God’s presence within us.
I firmly believe that it is this awareness of God’s presence within us puts a smile on one’s face, a gleam in one’s eyes and a spark in one’s call to discipleship. How can we obtain this spiritual joy? It may be surprising to know that this was the very same question John the Baptist was asked and to which he replied with uncompromising language that the secret to happiness was found in committing oneself to God’s way.
Finally, when we are rooted in the joy of the Lord, the light of Christ shines through us whether we are working or praying, laughing or crying, listening or talking, in good health or in ill health etc.
Friends, today’s readings ask,” Would you exchange the joy of the Lord for the comforts and the pleasures the world has to offer?” Would you?
Into our advent joy come, Lord, come.
Sr. Geraldine Calabrese, MPF
© 2006
The message of John the Baptist in today's Gospel reading continues to inspire my journey with blindness. Why?
It encourages me to walk through the wilderness of darkness with the light of Christ in my heart; to level the mountains of pride and self pity with courage; to fill the valley of despair with hope and trust in God's mercy and to make straight the winding road of uncertainty with faith in God's fidelity. It was in the wilderness of blindness that I discovered my need for God. Friends, unless we honestly face the wilderness of life, we will never know how much we need a savior. Finally, isn't it remarkable that the story of the coming of the Lord began when the Word of God came to John in the wilderness?
Into our wilderness come, Lord, come.
Sr. Geraldine Calabrese, MPF
© 2006
1st Sunday of Advent
Every New Year’s eve, hundreds of thousands of people gather at Times Square to usher in the New Year. As the ball drops, there erupts an explosion of holiday cheer.
Friends, the first Sunday of Advent is with us again and like New Year’s Eve, it ushers in a new year but a new church year. Let us greet this year not with an explosion of holiday cheer but with an explosion of love, love of God, others, and self. It is certainly encouraging to know that Advent invites us to make a fresh start in building a closer relationship with Jesus.
Today’s readings strongly suggest that we remain alert to what needs to be made right, to see how we have failed, and to assess what can be done to make things better.
They also challenge us: to embrace conversion; to dedicate our lives to Gospel values and the Word of God; to be people of mercy and compassion; to keep progressing on the spiritual journey with our focus on the Kingdom; to be attentive to the countless ways God comes into our lives and into our world but most of all, to develop a relationship with God, who out of love alone, sent His only son into the world to redeem us.
We have been taught that prayer, penance, and works of mercy are necessary preparations for the coming of Christ. If we have neglected these preparations, Advent gives us an opportunity to begin anew.
It is peaceful to know that our past does not stop God from looking lovingly upon us. Scripture reminds us that God patiently waits with outstretched arms to welcome us home into His embrace.
My prayer is that this image of God be indelibly carved upon your minds and hearts as you begin your Advent journey. Is there a better way to usher in a new year, a new church year?
Into our new church year come, Lord, come.
Sr. Geraldine Calabrese, MPF
© 2006
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