Feast of St. Andrew, the Apostle

They left their boats and their father and followed him.

(Matthew 4:22)

Have you noticed how face-to-face communication is becoming less common? We can spend an entire day e-mailing, texting and talking on the phone. Social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter and MySpace keep us in touch without ever touching. Some of us can even work from the comfort and isolation of our home and rarely have the chance to interact. Even online shopping can keep us away from merchants, who may even be just around the corner from us.

All of this technology certainly does make life more convenient, but what a contrast it is when compared to the experience of Andrew and Simon Peter!

While they are fishing, the two brothers meet Jesus in person. Actually, this is the second time they have seen him. John the Baptist had introduced Andrew to him earlier, and Andrew ended up spending the whole day with Jesus (John 1:29,39). Andrew then brought Simon Peter to meet him too. That encounter set the stage for today's Gospel reading, when Jesus calls the two men to follow him. And they are so moved by Jesus that they leave everything behind and go with him.

As we celebrate St.Andrew today, let's remember that this kind of direct encounter is at the heart of evangelization. In the words of Pope John II, evangelization "is not a matter of merely pssing on doctrine, but rather of a personal and profound meeting with the Savior." We can't simply hope that those around us will absorb enough information about Christ to become his disciples. We need to introduce them to Jesus.

Bringing someone to Christ may not be as challenging as you think. Of course, we can pray for people and tell them about God's love. But sometimes we make more progress with simple expressions of love that are reflections of the Lord. Listening can be just as effective as prayer. A warm embrace can speak more powerfully than a Scripture passage. An invitation to lunch can have a greater impact than a logical presentation of the truths of the Gospel.

Kindness, generosity, compassion, these are the keys that unlock the treasures of the Gospel!

Lord, send me to someone who needs your message of salvation. Help me to share simply about the wonderful work you have done in my life!

Vatican Releases New Book: "Light Of The World. The Pope and the Signs of the Times."

Pope Benedict XVI poses with his new book "Light of the World: The Pope, the Church, and the Sign of the Times" at the Vatican November 23, 2010. Pope Benedict's landmark acknowledgement that the use of condoms is sometimes morally justifiable to stop AIDS is valid not only for gay male prostitutes but for heterosexuals and transsexsuals too, the Vatican said on Tuesday. The clarification, the latest step in what is already seen as a significant shift in the Catholic Church policy, came at a news conference presenting the pope's new book.
-Reuters Pictures

Monsignor George Gänswein (C), personal secretary of Pope Benedict XVI, smiles as he poses with a new book about the pope at the Vatican November 23, 2010. Pope Benedict says in the new book, called "Light of the World: The Pope, the Church, and the Sign of the Times", that he would not hesitate to become the first pontiff to resign willingly in more than 700 years if he felt himself no longer able, "physically, psychologically and spiritually", to lead the church. The book, an interview with German Catholic journalist Peter Seewald, has so far made headlines for the pope's cautious opening to the use of condoms to stop AIDS.

-Reuters Pictures

Pope Benedict XVI's personal secretary Georg Gänswein holds a copy in German of 'Light of the World: The Pope, the Church and the Signs of the Times' by German journalist Peter Seewald, based on 20 hours of interviews with Pope Benedict XVI during a press conference for the release of the book on November 23, 2010 in John Paul II press room at the Vatican. Publishers released a controversial new book of interviews Tuesday in which Pope Benedict XVI says for the first time he approves of condom use to reduce the risk of sexually transmitted diseases.

-Getty Images

Monsignor George Gänswein (L), personal secretary of Pope Benedict XVI, smiles as he reads a new book about the pope at the Vatican.

-Reuters Pictures

Waiting For The King!

Pope Benedict XVI, all dressed to meet the King.








Pope Benedict XVI celebrates the First Vespers on the occasion of the first week of Advent in Saint Peter's Basilica at the Vatican November 27, 2010.

Reuters Pictures

Wake Up! It's Advent

Be vigilant at all times.

(Luke 21:36)

This past week many of the Gospel readings have included Jesus' warnings about the coming day of the Lord. And many of the first readings have included visions from the Book of Revelation about the age to come. These together have been a pathway leading us to the season of Advent, which begins tomorrow. As we stand on the threshold of a new season and a new liturgical year, today's Gospel calls us to be vigilant and to stand firm.

Perhaps you feel that you lose sight of the Lord as you go about your day. Life can be so demanding and so distracting. Maybe your daily routine has created a false sense of security. Maybe the battle against temptations has gotten discouraging. Perhaps even the evil one is trying to convince you to give up, saying that you probably won't make it anyway. But no matter how many forces come against you, don't give up the fight! Don't let your heart grow drowsy (Luke 21:34). Keep on being watchful and vigilant!

Simeon (Luke 2:25-32) and Anna (Luke 2:36-38) are inspiring Advent models for us. Like sentries at the post waiting for the coming of the dawn, they keep looking for the Messiah. Neither their vision nor their hope dimmed as they patiently remained on the lookout. They waited for the fulfillment of God's promises with perseverance. They stayed attentive to the Holy Spirit because they were so eager to see God's salvation. All their prayerful pondering and steadfast watching enabled them to recognize that salvation when Mary and Joseph brought the infant Jesus to the Temple. God's ways had become their ways, and His thoughts had become their thoughts.

Let's greet this coming Advent season of grace with determination, confidence and perseverance. Let's remember that we are looking forward both to Jesus' coming as a man on Christmas and His final return at the end of time, when He will bring us fully into His kingdom. As Pope Benedict XVI has said: "Advent is par excellence the season of hope in which believers in Christ are invited to remain in watchful and active waiting, nourished by prayer and by the effective commitment to love."

Jesus, you are my Messiah and Saviour! Give me the grace to keep my eyes and my heart fixed on you as I look for the day of your coming.

Heaven And Earth Will Pass Away (Luke 21:33)

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

(Luke 21:33)

So many things in our world come with expiration dates. Memberships, warranties and magazine subscriptions run out. Products, fashions and even laws grow obsolete. Store and gift coupons expire. Even stars and planets die. And of course, after their allotted time on earth, so will all living creatures.

Even though our bodies are mortal, something in us longs to live forever. That's because God created us to share in his eternal life! And because He is a loving God, He gives us ways to begin tasting and growing in His life right now by meeting Him every day. We do this as we prayerfully reflect on Scripture, the inspired word of God, which "will not pass away" (Luke 21:33)

It's an amazing reality! As the Fathers of Vatican II explained it, "In the sacred books the Father who is in heaven meets His children with great love and speaks with them," [Dei Verbum, 21]. St. Bernard, says that anyone who eagerly meditates on Scripture knows "that there he is certain to find the One for whom he thirsts." When we read Scripture, we can be sure that the God who created us to know and love Him is with us, ready to bring God's word to life.

Scripture can awe us with the breadth and depth of God's love. With a single word of reproach, it can shatter our pride. It can teach us wondrous truths, pierce our hard hearts and stir us to inspired prayers of praise and thanksgiving. It straightens out our crooked thinking, opens our eyes to Christ and gives us what we need to face trials and upheavals with peace and joy.

You can make this discovery or rediscovery for yourself today. Open your Bible, call on the Holy Spirit and listen as Jesus speaks to you. Know that however often you read a passage, it will never run out, go stale or get outdated. Unchanging as it is, God's word is new every day, always fresh and full of life and hope.

Come, Holy Spirit and bring the words of Scripture alive for me today. Open my ears to listen carefully. Help me to hear and understand what You are saying to me now."

A Sure Anchor

God said,

"Never will I leave you;

never will I forsake you."

So we say with confidence,

"The LORD is my helper; I will not be afraid.

What can man do to me?"

(Hebrews 13:5-6)

As the storm clouds roll across the horizon of our lives, we must prepare to face adversity with confidence. Once the trials or testing times arrive, it is time to evaluate where we have dropped the anchor of our faith. Does our anchor reach deep enough that our faith is securely fastened to the Lord?

When you place your hope and faith in anything other than Christ, you are going to be disappointed. The things of this world may satisfy temporarily, but eventually the emptiness in your heart will overtake any satisfaction.

No matter how much support and encouragement our friends may give us, the peace that is necessary to weather many storms in our lives can come only from God. No matter how much money we have, it will never solve all our problems or fill all our emptiness.

But our hearts anchored in Christ will hold us tightly as we endure all of these storms. God rejoices over His children, delighting in bringing about the best for our lives. Nothing in our lives surprised Him. He knows it all, and He knows the best way for us to stand strong against these difficulties. For He Himself has said, "Never will I leave you nor forsake you." So we may confidently say, "The LORD is my helper, I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"

"Lord, when I am helpless, let not my gaze depart from You, give me the strength to stay anchored in You so that I can withstand life's storms."

Bearing Unbearable Burdens

This is what the LORD says:

" Stand at the crossroads and look;

ask for the ancient paths,

ask where the good way is, and walk in it,

and you will find rest for your souls."

(Jeremiah 6:16)

When we are overburdened, the world seems a colder place. The sun may be shining, but our heads are bowed so low that we don't notice. The birds sing, but our ears are filled with the cries of our hearts---cries of pain, sorrow and weariness.

We keep a distance between others and ourselves as our problems absorb our time and attention. Perhaps we are weighed down by unmet expectations, sudden trauma or death, or simply too much responsibility. Another possibility is that sin is causing our heaviness of heart. Whatever the cause, the result is the same: a crushing weight. Only the amount of the weight varies.

Into our bleakness comes the soothing voice of God Almighty, inviting us to draw near and find rest in Him. The prophet Jeremiah spoke of God, telling his listeners to find the good way and walk in it. That's how we will find rest.

Won't you look up to your heavenly Father right now? Jesus offers living water. Take time to drink until your soul is strengthened enough for you to ask the way. With the Spirit's help, take one step, then another down that path of obedience, and He will give you the promised peace.

Therefore let us stand and look and ask and walk, so that we find the rest the LORD has promised for our souls.

Father, I want to walk in the ancient paths, the good way, Your way.

I know that it is there that I will find rest for my soul.

There's That Smile Again!

-Reuters Pictures

Pope Benedict XVI and his personal secretary Georg Gaenswein (R) smile to a baby and his mother during the weekly audience in Paul VI Hall at the Vatican November 10, 2010.

Something Beautiful

Where can I go from Your Spirit?

Or where can I flee from Your presence?

(Psalm 139:7)

Under what circumstances do you most seem to notice God's presence? When does your prayer life become more meaningful? When do you seek after God with every ounce of energy you can muster?

For most people, times of intense hardships and trials result in a greater awareness of the power of God. It is during these times---not during life's greatest successes---that one's utter dependence on God is at its zenith.

How odd that the hardships in life produce greater faithfulness. Would you not expect the opposite result? After all, it seems perfectly natural to praise God in times of joy; however, when your shattered life lies in ruins at your feet, what is there to be thankful for then???

During these trials, you quickly realize your own inability to positively impact your situation. The feeling of complete helplessness is a shocking eye-opener; in the face of desperation, the only alternative is to turn the matter over to God, who is more than able to meet the need.

It has been noted that those who cry, "A loving God would not allow that to happen," are the ones who have never experienced extreme trials themselves. Those who are familiar with pain through loss, hardships or disaster, are the ones who elevate the value of the lessons learned through trials.

If you are facing insurmountable trials and you feel broken in spirit, bring your pieces to the foot of the cross. There you will find the One who can reshape your shattered life into something beautiful.

Lord, when the rug is pulled out from under me and I am already on my knees, I find it easier to pray. Thank You for shaping my character during those times.

Dedication of the Lateran Basilica

I saw water flowing. (Ezekiel 47:1)

Today's feast is in honor of the first basilica built in Rome after Emperor Constantine granted Christians their religious freedom in A.D. 313. Because it was and still is the cathedral of the Bishop of Rome, we remember St. John Lateran as a way to express our union with the whole church, led by Christ's vicar on earth. In a way, though, this feast is about three buildings.

The first is the Jerusalem Temple in Ezekiel's vision. The prophet sees water seeping out from under the front door. Usually a sign of some plumbing disaster, this water signifies just the opposite. Emerging from the innermost sanctuary, it is a promise of God's healing and salvation for his people. As Ezekiel watches, the trickle swells into a mighty river that makes the whole land a paradise for every living creature.

The second, the Basilica of St. John Lateran features a magnificent mosaic that interprets Ezekiel's river imagery in the light of Christ. It shows Jesus on the cross, with the Holy Spirit pictured as a dove above him. Streams of living water flow from the Spirit and the new Temple of Christ's body, broadening out into a Jordan River that teems with fish, swans and lush vegetation all symbols of Baptism and the richness of new life in Christ. (Check the image below)

The third building of course, is the Church, which was established as blood and water that flowed from the side of Christ. In this, healing flows, Ezekiel's vision was fulfilled. Now, through the Holy Spirit, a great river goes out from the whole church, bringing life wherever it goes. And all of us are a part of it!

Today's feast calls us to reflect on Jesus' promise that if we believe in Him, streams of living water will flow out from us to others (John 7:38) Are we drinking deeply from these waters of life? Are we trying our best to immerse ourselves in God's presence through the sacraments, scripture and heart-to-heart prayer? Let us ask the Holy Spirit to help us press on. A thirsty world is waiting.

"Jesus, I'm thirsty for more of you. Refresh me with your living water so that I can bring your unity, peace and healing to everyone I meet."

ABC's Of Life

A lthough things are not perfect

B ecause of trial or pain

C ontinue in thanksgiving

D o not begin to blame

E ven when the times are hard

F ierce winds are bound to blow

G od is forever able

H old on to what you know

I magine life without His love

J oy would cease to be

K eep thanking Him for all the things

L ove imparts to thee

M ove out of "Camp Complaining"

N o weapon that is known

O n earth can yield the power

P raise can do alone

Q uit looking at the future

R edeem the time at hand

S tart every day with worship

T o "thank" is a command

U ntil we see Him coming

V ictorious in the sky

W e'll run the race with gratitude

X alting God most high

Y es, there'll be good times and yes some will be bad, but...

Z ion waits in glory... where none are ever sad!

I am too blessed to be stressed!

Early in life, I learnt the simple principle that;

"The shortest distance between a problem and a solution

is the distance between your knees

and the floor.

The one who kneels to the Lord can

stand up to anything."

Love and peace be with you forever.

Amen.

The Lost Sheep

Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.

(Luke 15:6)

Have you ever lost something really valuable and had to look all over before you found it? Do you remember the sense of relief and joy you felt when you had retrieved it? That's the kind of feeling that filled the shepherd as he searched unceasingly for his lost sheep. Then, when he finally found it, he picked it up in excitement and triumph. Not just that, he even called everyone to celebrate with him. Or think of the woman who lost her coin, a key to her livelihood. She did not wait for daybreak, but lit a lamp and searched the entire house until she found it. And like the shepherd, she rejoiced with her friends over her success.

Jesus spoke these parables to show us how relentlessly the heavenly Father pursues us and how deeply He rejoices on our return. Even the angels in heaven rejoice!

Listen, you are immeasurably precious to the Father. He formed you down to the finest detail. When you were born, the angels sang for joy, and from that moment forward, your heavenly Father has been reaching out to you. From your very first day, he has been speaking to your heart, inviting you to turn to him in faith. He has carried you through every trial and placed his servants in your path to help guide you. Even as you read these words, God is reaching out to you. Faithful to the end, he will never leave you. And all he wants is for you to experience more and more of his love for you.

So as you wake up every morning, be confident that your heavenly Father is with you, leading you and pouring out his grace upon you. His love never wavers and his mercy is inexhaustible. Let your heart be at peace today! Let your soul rest in the assurance of his presence and mercy.

"Father, with all the saints and angels in heaven, I rejoice in Your faithfulness. I am amazed that You never let go of me. I praise You for all the times You have guided me, loved me and called me to Your heart."

All Souls (Feast)

O God,

the Giver of pardon

and the Lover of the salvation of men,

we beg Thy clemency

on behalf of our brethren,

kinsfolk and benefactors

who have departed this life,

that by the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary

and of all the Saints,

Thou wouldst receive them into the joys

of Thine everlasting kingdom.

We make our prayer through Christ Our Lord

who lives and reigns with You

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

God, forever and ever.

Amen.

Litany of the Saints