Two life-giving women, Mary and Elizabeth, come together in this Sunday’s Gospel. They are cradling within and between themselves the power of life. They respond to each other from that power: “At the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy.” For Christmas to be…
In this Sunday’s Gospel, John the Baptist is sought after as a man of integrity, humble and wise. Some people begin to wonder if he is the Christ. Being humble John deflects any potential glory and directs people toward another: “there is one who comes after me.” Interestingly enough, Jesus, who John is heralding,…
This Sunday’s Gospel opens by identifying the terrorist leaders of the Roman Empire. The Empire is topped by Caesar who controls two trained underlings in Palestine, Pilate and Herod. The Roman Empire, like all empires, including the U.S. Empire, terrorizes common people. Those terrorized include common people of the ruler’s own land, as well…
The Advent/Christmas season begins with the Gospel forecasting an apocalyptic event. It uses symbolic language to convey its seriousness: “There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on earth nations will be in dismay.” Jesus describes a climate of distress apparent socially and personally (he’s facing his own suffering…
Fertility is one meaning of the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. It is recognized in the sash tied across Mary’s waist indicating she is pregnant. Mary’s feast fits well as a celebration during the Advent season when we are all awaiting new life. The feast celebrates the pregnant Mary’s fruitful appearance to a…
Conception, a natural consideration in this season awaiting a baby’s birth, is not considered this Sunday. It is displaced by a warning from John the Baptist as the Gospel reading. Quite unfortunate, since today, December 8th, is a specific day celebrating conception. It is Mary’s Immaculate Conception. The festive celebration of Mary’s conception happens…
Advent is a time of pregnancy in which we are patiently waiting with a pregnant Mary each year. As she prepared to give birth to Jesus so we too prepare to give birth to the Christ child in our world. Meister Eckhart, a 14th century mystic, wrote: “What good is it if this eternal…