Tag Archives: Advent Wreath

no pickled peppers on “Joy Sunday”

14 Dec

The third candle of the wreath is lighted today. It is rose. Most often we say that it is pink. This week’s color: rose, pink – whatever. It is Gaudete – Rejoice – Sunday!

The most recent official writing of Pope Francis, released November 24, the first that comes directly and solely from his mind and heart, has the Latin title, “Evangelii Gaudium,” which translates “The Joy of the Gospel.” With me find it helpful to ponder the fact he calls it “the joy of the Gospel” and not “Gospel joy.”

Here is a much quoted sentence from that apostolic exhortation of Pope Francis: “One of the more serious temptations which stifles boldness and zeal is a defeatism which turns us into querulous and disillusioned pessimists, ‘sourpusses.’”

pickled peppers 01

At his morning Mass on May 10 Pope Francis talked about the joy that Christians have deep within them from knowing that Jesus is with them and that they are loved by God: “Sometimes these melancholy Christians’ faces have more in common with pickled peppers than the joy of having a beautiful life.” Sad Christians hinder the witness and mission of the Church.

pickled peppers 02

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice. Indeed, the Lord is near.”

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Our Every Hope and God’s Every Promise

14 Dec

 advent third Sunday photo

“O God, fulfill his every hope in you, and make good on your every promise to him.”

That is a prayer worthy of praying over someone who is dying or who has just passed. But it is also appropriate as you pray for someone, like your mother, who is having some struggle or challenge. “O God, fulfill her every hope in you, and make good on your every promise to her.”

Hope and promise, promise and hope: that is an Advent prayer, an anytime prayer.

In life itself and in our own lives there are valleys: low points. There are mountains and hills: challenges and struggles. Winding roads and rough paths – we see them in the world; we know them in our lives.

Have you or are you experiencing a valley in life, a low point? Do you have a mountain or a hill, a struggle or a challenge? How about a winding road or a rough path? Name the valley, mountain, hill, winding road or rough path that you see in our world or in your world.

Then hear the prophet John as he quotes the prophet Isaiah: “Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill shall be made low. The winding roads shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”

Your valley shall be filled. Your mountain and hill shall be made low. Your winding roads and rough paths shall be made straight and smooth. You will see salvation by God.

Advent speaks of the great promise in which now we dare to hope.

May God fulfill your every hope in him, and make good on his every promise to you.

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