These reflections are a result of more than 40 years of ministry as a Roman Catholic priest. Most of these years I spent in the Diocese of Charlotte which covers Western North Carolina. Now I am retired, and live in Medellín, Colombia where I continue to serve as a priest in the Archdiocese of Medellín.
Thus says the LORD, your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I, the LORD, your God, teach you what is for your good, and lead you on the way you should go. (Is 48:17-19)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120922.cfm
Sometimes we act as if we were masters of the world charting our own destiny. I remember the lesson my Mexican madrecita taught me one day when I was telling her of all the things I planned to do. She reminded me, “Primero Dios” (If God wills). In Colombia folks say, “Si Dios quiere,” (If God wants). We all need the friendly reminder from the prophet that God will teach us what is for our good, and lead us on the way we should go. It’s not always the way we would choose, but it is the path God has chosen for us. Faith is not about imposing our will on the world, rather faith is about being molded by God’s will for our lives. Saint Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin received the apparitions of Our Lady of Guadalupe in December, 1531. And together with Our Lady of Guadalupe, he followed the way of her Son.
God chose us in Christ, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him. In love he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ, in accord with the favor of his will, for the praise of the glory of his grace that he granted us in the beloved. (Eph 1:3-6, 11-12)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120821.cfm
There is a divine purpose for each one of us. Today’s feast reminds us how that divine purpose was fulfilled in the life of the Virgin Mary, who was prepared from the first moment of her existence to become the mother of the Son of God. In Colombia for the feast of the Immaculate Conception we have the tradition of Las Velitas (the Little Candles). People light candles in front of their homes lighting the way of the Virgin Mary.
The LORD is the eternal God, creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint nor grow weary . . . They that hope in the LORD will renew their strength, they will soar as with eagles’ wings; They will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint. (Is 40:25-31)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120722.cfm
My friend, Father Wilbur Thomas (1947-2022), went home to God last night. For 14 years we worked together at the Basilica of Saint Lawrence in Asheville, NC, until we both retired in 2018. I will be forever grateful for his friendship, his wisdom, and his guidance. He was a priest after the Heart of Christ. He now soars with eagles’ wings. Through his preaching, Saint Ambrose was responsible for the conversion of Saint Augustine. Today we also remember those who died on this day in 1941 in the attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and all those who died in World War II.
Comfort, give comfort to my people, says your God . . . Like a shepherd he feeds his flock; in his arms he gathers the lambs, Carrying them in his bosom, and leading the ewes with care. (Is 40:1-11)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120622.cfm
Händel’s Messiah opens with this prophecy from Isaiah with its promise of comfort. Saint Nicholas (270-343) followed in the footsteps of the Good Shepherd. He was known as a gentle, generous shepherd who cared for the flock entrusted to his care. Saint Nicholas has become one of the most beloved figures of Advent.
Say to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear not! Here is your God, he comes with vindication; With divine recompense he comes to save you. (Is 35:1-10)
When Jesus saw their faith (the faith of the friends), he said (to the paralyzed man), “As for you, your sins are forgiven.” (Lk 5:17-26)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120522.cfm
Troubled times are always a part of the human story. The word of the old prophet Isaiah still speaks to us today. The message of Advent is the same: Don’t be afraid, our God comes to save us. But we have to hold on. Sometimes like the paralyzed man in the gospel story, we need the faith of our friends to get us through.
