Second Sunday of Advent 2008

This coming Sunday is already the second one for Advent. How's it going for you? Have you begun to deepen your prayer life? Are you really understanding "the reason for the season"?

As Catholics we understand that Jesus already has come, and that we await his second coming. Advent reminds us both of his first coming here on earth as the infant Jesus, in the cold dark manger, in the city of Bethlehem.

This Sunday we again listen to the words of John the Baptist. His words ring out with hope in the wilderness of pessimism that exists in the world today. We also read Isaiah who preaches comfort to God's sinful people. He will gather them in like a shepherd gathering in his lost sheep.

St. Peter also reminds us that to God, a thousand years is like a blink of an eye. Yet we become so impatient with Him when we pray and he doesn't seem to give us the answer we want to hear, or it doesn't come fast enough for us.

Why did so many people listen to John the Baptist? Why were so many people impressed with him? This was a man who lived what he preached. He literally was a walking example of what St. Francis is always paraphrased as saying; Preach the Gospel, use words only if necessary (sorry for my paraphrase as well).

This is our challenge then as Catholic Christians. To live as a voice crying out in the wilderness, and do it each and every day of our lives. We must call upon Him to give us strength to teach the truths of the faith to our families, our friends, those we meet every day. We need to do this by word and by example.

Our world is a challenging place, we have been given a mission as baptized Catholics. Let's go forth this Advent and be the difference the world needs today.
In Christ,
Deacon Tom

Have to start somewhere

It took me a year (and a couple of months) to really think about whether or not it made sense to do something like this. Since I'm currently unemployed in the secular world (for the past 2 months) I figured that now was as good a time as any to start someplace.

What will I talk about? Will this be more for me than anyone else? Only the Holy Spirit knows for sure right now. All I know is that there a lot of things happening in the world and I'd like to provide a perspective on things.

The intent is of course to be very Catholic. After all I'm a Catholic Deacon serving His Church. It might make sense for me to publish my homilies when I give them, or even take the time to provide thoughts on the readings even if I'm not sharing them with the parish on Sundays. Since I've had requests from people for me to send my homilies, this would be an easier way for me to get them out.

Where do we go from here? What will I talk about first? Will there be anything profound here? That one is easy since just two weeks ago our son and daughter-in-law were blessed with a new baby. Our second grandchild, a little girl. "Deacon Grandpa" will have the blessing of baptizing her on the feast of St. Nicholas, Dec 6.

Now I've baptized over 80 children over the past year so you would think I'd not be nervous about the whole thing. Perhaps nervous isn't the word...I just don't want to cry through the whole thing! Just the thought of saying "My Dear granddaughter, Zelie Marie, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit" send more than just a few chills up and down my spine and the eyes to mist up, just a little.

Once it is all over, I'll take a few moments to reflect on the day.
In Christ,
Deacon Tom