My friends, today we begin the short fourth week of our Advent — two plus days as we conclude our time of waiting. And what are we waiting for? It seems that we might best answer this question by considering what our good God “was up to in the Incarnation.”
I have stressed the point throughout Advent that God choosing to become, “One-with-us” in the person of Jesus of Nazareth, who would later become “the Christ,” was all about love—love for us created ones, desiring to show us “the way.” The notion that many, if not all of us heard throughout our lives, that Jesus would come to “save us,” was accomplished not by “dying,” but by “living” for us, showing us the way to do that well.
Our chosen readings for today speak, in many ways about “little ones” being called to do great things. The first of these “little ones” the prophet Micah speaks of, is in fact, “a place”—Bethlehem—out of this seemingly insignificant place will come One who will “stand firm” and “shepherd” the people. This One will be about “peace.”
My friends, we who would follow our brother Jesus must be about what he was about and the writer to the Hebrews articulates the response that we must have in following our brother, “Here I am. I have come to do your will.”
The remainder of this homily, I would like to focus on two significant women, our sisters, Mary and Elizabeth as “little ones” who came in response to their God’s call stating with truth and love, “their presence,” “here I am” and their intention of doing God’s will in their lives.
These two don’t get much “press-time” throughout the Church Year, but they are ones who should because of their steadfastness amid all that life can call forth from any of us!
This past week, Robert and I watched an American Masters presentation on the life of Laura Ingalls Wilder and her “Little House” books. The presentation lifted up the truth that she and her daughter, Rose Wilder Lane worked as “companions” in the writing and editing of these well-known books. I raise this simply to mention something that will serve us well as we read the Scripture story today of our sisters, Mary and Elizabeth.
Rose, as her mom’s secret editor encouraged Laura in the writing of her books, “to stay in the mind of Laura” when writing—write in that vein, she seemed to be saying, and what you write will be much more interesting to your readers.
For us then, my friends, not only today, with Mary and Elizabeth, but with Scripture stories in general, we should try to stay in the “minds” of those being discussed, to get the full benefit that then can be applied to our own lives.
Let’s begin, “in the mind” of Mary in today’s selection from Luke. The text says, [she proceeded] “in haste.” Why do you think that would have been? Remembering the earlier text that Mary had said “yes” to becoming the mother of the long-awaited, and foretold, Messiah, and hearing that her relative, Elizabeth, in her old age was also, “with child,” Mary is compelled to “go quickly” to be with her aunt.
Now, it would have been common for a younger relative to go and assist an older one; but I would suggest a deeper urgency here in Mary’s flight.
Keeping “in her mind” and additionally, her heart, and thinking about Mary’s own condition of being pregnant before she was formerly married—not against the law, as she was espoused to Joseph, but just the same looked down on in respectable society. Add to that, the heavenly, and mysterious component of this, “being with child,” Mary’s haste was probably as much about getting acceptance and confirmation from her aunt to the wonder of what had taken place as it was to support and assist Elizabeth—and in the end, her long-awaited baby would prove to be significant too, in God’s plan.
Thus the two women were gifting each other with “time and presence” in order to understand their blessed pregnancies, more through their hearts, than their minds. This Scripture reading friends, as all of Scripture, for the most part, becomes “alive” when we try and stay, “in the minds” (and hearts) of the characters presented. And additionally, when we read on this “heart level,” it becomes so much easier to apply the life lessons learned there to our own lives.
Let’s briefly turn from Mary and Elizabeth to look at all the prophets who foretold the “coming of the Messiah,” but never lived to see their God-given message come to reality—they merely planted the seeds of hope that others would see come to fruition. In our own lives my friends, we do the same—we plant seeds too as teachers, parents, counselors, friends that we may never see fully grown, but we know it is our call too, like prophets before us to do our part.
Moving back then to Mary and Elizabeth, we “see and hear” that, “when Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby stirred in her womb.” Up until this time, Elizabeth, considered beyond the years when giving birth would have been possible, had not yet felt her baby move. It would have been understandable, “in her mind” and heart to think that “this time too” it may not happen.
The Scriptures tell us that upon Mary’s greeting, not only did the baby stir, but it stirred “for joy!” Those who have been blessed to have given physical birth know “that joy” the first time their own babies stirred! So, my friends, if we simply read without fully engaging with the words of Scripture, trying to be “in the minds” and hearts, of those we read about, in order to understand as fully as we can what they are experiencing, we miss so much.
Mary’s canticle, in Elizabeth’s presence, is all about proclaiming in strength and power, the greatness that her God has bestowed upon her, for the good of the world. She prays her Magnificat with humility, yes, but strength too!
One final idea that I will simply mention, because I will speak more of it at Christmas, is the way we believe Jesus, our brother, came into this world. One might think that it would be with a good deal of pomp and circumstance, as in the past we have used such titles as Lord of Lords, King of Kings, even creating Christmas Crib scenes depicting Mary and Joseph in royal robes. But no, God’s plan was to incarnate within the poverty and the announcement of God’s glory was first made not to those “in power,” but to those “with no power” on the hillsides of Bethlehem…to be continued…
Amen? Amen!

My friends, I was reminded today that I haven’t yet put out a Christmas Schedule, which I will do following sending out the homily (: Pastor Kathy

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My friends, we began the holy season of Advent uplifting the notion that these four weeks, and a short four weeks at that, are about “joy” and a joy that builds throughout this time. Our color is royal blue, even though in most Catholic churches, you will see purple as the predominant color.
Our Catholic church is a ritualistic one—something I have always most appreciated, as the signs and symbols that we use connect us back to our daily lives. As Catholics, we have over the years praised those who have helped us to make “rich” the times of the Church Year through signs and symbols that are meaningful to each particular season. because Advent is about “joy realized” in our God who loved us enough to send our brother Jesus to be, “one-with-us,” Emmanuel, we rightly see this season being about “joy in our God,” not guilt for our sinfulness which is depicted, as in the season of Lent with the color purple.
Every one of our Scripture readings for today, are virtually “exploding” with joy, so for us to not “get that” is simply, to me, mind-boggling! As I look around our world today, I see so many places and situations that need the remedy of “joy proclaimed,” and acted upon, and to spend any more time “feeling bad about ourselves,” than necessary, seems to me, a waste of precious time. Our God created us, I believe, for joy—a joy that moves into our world, with love and care—fixes what is broken, cures those who are ill, physically, emotionally, and spiritually, and genuinely works to help those treated unjustly.
It would seem that cultivating a “joy-filled heart” would give us the strength we need as Jesus’ followers to do the hard work that it takes to be about “loving” as opposed to “guilting” ourselves and others in this life.
As always, let’s look to the Scriptures for the best guidance. The prophet Zephaniah tells us to “fear not” for [our] “God is in our midst.” “Fearing” what we don’t know—how others may think of us—will we still be liked or accepted if we say or do this thing? –seems to go with the human condition. But the prophet clearly says, “Fear not” [!] Zephaniah continues, not only will, “God rejoice over you,” but “God will rejoice”… “with gladness!”
Paul, in his letter to the Philippians, says it not only once, but twice, “rejoice in the Savior always” [!]
Luke, through John the Baptist, gets at the “hard work” that it will take to be true followers of our brother Jesus. Coming at any “hard” problem with joy, coupled with a good measure of faith, as opposed to any of the more negative emotions; guilt, anger, remorse, etc. seems a much better way to go, because in reality, “stepping up and out,” doing the thing, speaking the truth that no one else seems to want to do, is in fact, “a fearful” thing, because we all want to be loved—to be accepted.
In John the Baptist’s day, he was calling out those “with means,” to share with those needing clothes and food—that of course, fits for us as well. He tells the tax-collectors “to exact no extra,” and that “soldiers should not bully.”
We, my friends, can add to, “doing the hard work,” in our lives by “speaking truth to power” in Church and State, demanding that those in both places do what they were “given that power” to do, serving and caring for others, especially the neediest among us. In my understanding of the work of the Thursday letter-writing group that Nancy informs us of every week, this is what they do. I believe that whenever “joy” brings us to a task, it goes better.
And finally, in this surface look at today’s Scriptures, I lift up David, known as the composer of the Psalms who is “crying out with joy,” so I would say, our mission as Jesus’ followers is clear—we are to be about joy!
Now, fine-tuning these Scriptures, let’s take a deeper look at “why” we should be joy-filled. The Latin word for “joy” is “Gaudete” and prior to the Second Vatican Council, we were very much a “Latin” Church in our liturgical language. With the “opening of windows and doors” that Pope John XXIII said he wanted to do, we “lost” Latin, actually by then, a dead language, as the Church’s main liturgical language, in deference to the individual languages of peoples throughout the world, even though today, in some places, there are those trying to once again elevate Latin.
We know that Jesus’ languages were Hebrew and Aramaic, and “joy” in Hebrew is “Simcha”—and perhaps as we look back more and more at the words of Jesus, rather than those of the “Roman” church, we might do well to re-name this Sunday, “Simcha Sunday” –all about joy—in fact “Simcha” has been used as a personal name for obvious reasons. Just a thought (changing the name of this feast) that I think the Church fathers won’t take me up on.(:
But more so, let’s look further, as to “why” we should be about “joy,” especially today, and really, throughout all of Advent. If we can leave behind the notion, really ill-conceived, that Jesus came, “to save us from our sins by dying on the cross,” than we can be open to a God who simply “loved us,” first and foremost, and who wants “only good and not bad” for us in this life.
In my previous ministry as a chaplain, I would many times hear from patients that they “didn’t believe in God.” When I asked them to tell me, “who God was for them,” it was often a “mean and vengeful God just waiting to pounce when they failed.” I could most assuredly tell them that I didn’t believe in that God either! Then I would remind them of who Jesus told us his Abba God was, in the stories of the “Good Shepherd” and the ”Prodigal Child”—stories that both depict a God who loves in an over-the-top way, and who will go to any length “to find us and bring us home.”
But if the terminology of “saving us” is meaningful in your life, then a more positive way to envision Jesus’ coming might be to see his life actions, his words, as showing us the “best ways” to live out our one, wonderful life, and in that way, he “saves” us from our human tendency to be less than we can be.
So my friends, the Scriptures today clearly tell us to be “people of joy,” to “fear not” to do what God, through Jesus is asking of us—the hard, at times, work of love, and remembering that this same God, “is in our midst,” always showing us the way, and comforting us in the ups and downs of life.
A final thought my friends comes from the words of John, the Baptist, that today’s reading doesn’t include, but are important for all of us, especially ministers and pastors, “He (meaning Jesus) must increase, while I (meaning John) must decrease.” In today’s gospel, John says that there is one coming whose sandal strap John is not worthy to loosen.”
The words spoken by John that he must “decrease” while Jesus must “increase,” clearly speak to the place we as followers of Jesus must keep. We, as John, must never get in the way of the message –all that we do should be about, “shedding more light on Jesus!” So there you have it—
Amen? Amen!

My friends, today brings us to the 2nd Sunday of Advent, a time of increasing joy and light, as we walk, day by day, toward the beautiful feast of Christmas—the Incarnation of our loving God into humanity, in the person of our brother, Jesus of Nazareth, who would become the Christ—a God, big enough for all of creation—for all belief systems.

I said that Advent is “a season of joy and light.” All our Scriptures for today speak of this fact. Beginning with the Old Testament prophet, Baruch, the joy of the season continues as he basically says, that if we practice living peacefully, acting justly, showing mercy, “we will be glorified,” and all this brings, “joy,” because we are doing what is right.

Paul, in his letter to the Philippians continues the theme of “joy coming out of action” in saying, “I rejoice” because of how you are [living] the gospel. “It is my hope that you be found rich in the harvest of justice.”
And finally, in Luke’s gospel, we hear “urgency” in John the Baptist’s words to, “Make ready the way for our God”—make [in fact], “a straight path.” And if we believe Baruch and Paul’s words that “doing the right thing” brings “joy” into our personal lives, then the Baptist’s call for us to “prepare” a straight path for the Messiah, which will be “paved” with our good works, as we just sang so beautifully in our gospel verse, will bring “joy” as well.

If you think of the Creed by John Shea that we use here, you will recall that he speaks of the Messiah’s coming as, “God risking in sending Jesus.” That line has always “struck me” when we say these words, because if we think of God as all powerful, wonderful, and perfect, really—“the act of risking” almost seems below who God should be –yet the truth is there, if we can get our “hearts,” rather than our “heads” around this idea. The truth is, our God loved us that much in sending Jesus to be one of us, and one-with-us, Emmanuel, for no other reason but that we could see through his life, how each of us is to be in our lives.

And at this point, it would be good to reflect on another important event celebrated in our Church on December 8th each year—that of the Immaculate Conception. First off, it is important to reflect on the words, in order to truly understand what they really mean. Secondly, this feast only came about in 1854, so we didn’t always “believe” what it seems to be saying. The words very simply say that Mary was conceived “pure” (immaculate) from original sin which the rest of us presumably are “stained” with.
To say that Jesus’ mother was conceived without sin is to say that she was not human as the very definition of humanity is that we are not perfect and the best part, is that our God loves us anyway! Or, in other words, God made us this way—imperfect! So, if the only way that Jesus could be part of us, and our humanity was that his mother needed to be perfect, or not human, then where did the human component in Jesus come from? Clearly, the theologians and clerics would do well to clean up their act on this one. And if they can do that, then some of the negative thinking around sexuality might be able to be done away with as well. The beauty of the Incarnation is the realization that God loved us from the get-go and chose to be immersed in our humanity that is not an “original sin,” but an original blessing! Talk about risking!

Having put forth the idea that our loving God chose, “to risk” and become One-With-Us, the next piece to consider in today’s readings is what Jesus, living among us wanted us to know about our own human experiences in life. From Baruch in the Old Testament to Paul and Luke in the New Testament, it seems evident that Jesus wants us—each of us, to live lives of mercy and justice. The psalmist prays, “God has done great things for us” [and this should make us glad and help us to persevere, in times of trouble]. Additionally, Paul, writing to the Philippians affirms this notion, “the One who began [this] good work in you, will keep perfecting it.”

And in our world today my friends, we are truly called to be people of mercy and justice, always looking for the ways that we can make a difference in the lives of those needing the very basics in life that we often take for granted. When I was growing up, even though we didn’t have a lot of extras, and even if I didn’t always like the food choices, I can honestly say that I never knew what it was like “to go hungry,” unless I chose that option. I can’t imagine what it must be like to be a mom or dad in this world and have nothing to feed my children or to be unable to keep them physically safe from constant bombs flying overheard destroying what they once called home. A newscaster this past week documenting the suffering in the Middle East and speaking specifically of a very young child said, “She and other children here have known nothing but war their entire lives.” I can’t imagine, nor probably can you, what that is like to endure.

Paul encourages us today to try and “understand, to discern” basically, situations that are bigger than our own, and when we do that, we have to realize that simple, black and white answers, such as, “peace is the absence of war,” or “love is the absence of hate,” just don’t cut it when we are trying to follow in Jesus’ footsteps.

Going back to John Shea’s notion of “God risking” in sending Jesus into the mess that our human lives can sometimes be, was not about showing God’s “powerfulness,” but really, God’s “vulnerability” in doing whatever it might take to show us that we are truly loved, with all our “imperfections.” And friends, if we can follow our God’s lead here, reflecting, always reflecting on Jesus’ life, then these days of preparation can truly be ones of joy! Amen? Amen!

My friends, with this Sunday we begin the four short weeks this year of Advent before Christmas wherein the Christian Church-United is invited to take some quiet moments among the busy days of preparation for what, we might say, in the very best sense, is our annual celebration of love.

Advent is, and can be a quiet celebration of impending joy which builds during this holy season, and as always, for us Catholic Christians, and our sister and brother Christians of different denominations, the rituals serve to help us build the momentum which will be heightened on the 3rd Sunday of Advent, “Gaudete,” which quite simply means, “Joy Sunday,” and we signify this mounting joy by changing from the royal blue of the other Sundays to the white or pink in the candles and other drapings.

Last week I mentioned the unfortunate falling-back within our hierarchical church to the pre-Vatican II use of purple in the candles, vestments, and drapings in our liturgical spaces. I say, “unfortunate” because the “purple” seems to align this season of joy with the season of Lent which is more about looking within ourselves in a deeper way than usual for the times we have failed in being the people our brother Jesus calls us to be, and then asking heart-felt forgiveness for those failings.

Now you might be thinking, what difference does it make, and I can’t stress enough the big difference it does make! With the 28-year pontificate of John Paul II, our beloved Church experienced a relentless turning-back from the “fresh air, and opening doors and windows” with the new ideas of John XXIII, to a time when once again we were encouraged to “beat our breasts—mea culpa, mea culpa,” for not measuring up

So then, the remembrance of our God sending Jesus to be one-with-us at Christmas time is “dumbed-down” to be like so many other things pre-Vatican II, about “sin,” and “sinfulness,” instead about “love.”
Thus, the royal blue is so-very-important as it stands for our faith-filled sister and mother, Mary of Nazareth, and the blessed fruit of her womb. Later during this holy season, we will read about this same Mary going in “haste and joy” to visit her aunt Elizabeth, so that she can proclaim in joy and confirm for her niece her recognition of the miracle that Mary is carrying. This folks, is about “joy” not “sin,” and is to be celebrated for the wonder that it is, that our God would love us this much, to send One to show us the way. It is truly sad, in my mind, that our Church hierarchy chooses to omit this beautiful ritual of impending joy, replacing it with the smallness that we humans can be at times.

But let’s look to the Scriptures as we always do to find our true path. The prophet Jeremiah is a true guide in letting us know that, “Our God is our justice”—our brother Jesus is coming to help us see that our “love and care” must look more and more like the “love and care” that our God will show through our brother Jesus in his life among us—proclaiming that all are welcome, and that no one is excluded.

Many of us have just completed quality time with family and friends through the celebration of Thanksgiving. For some it was about traveling many miles to be with loved ones, to share the “old, timeless stories,” the fun memories…for some this year marked the 1st, or yet another year without a special loved one, and that is always hard, thus, we should listen to the stories of those missing others.
And too, for some, this holiday time is about saying, “the long good-bye,” and for those who are dealing with dementia in a loved one’s life, you know what I am speaking about.

Our Scriptures for today do call us though, as throughout our Christian lives, to balance. Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians today calls us to the concerted, day-in, day-out practice of love needed as we continue to try always to be closer and closer to the memory of Jesus of Nazareth. Paul says, “may [you] grow and overflow with love, and may [you have] strong hearts, [and additionally, may your hearts be] blameless and holy.”

In Luke’s gospel, we hear about the “balance” that we should strive for in Jesus’ words to, “be on our guard” [against excess] because each of us knows how easy it is to get caught up in the excesses of this world.

So, the caution to “balance” the mounting joy during this season,” with times of “quiet reflecting” on truly why, we Christians celebrate the season of Christmas in the first place, is sound. Too much of anything is usually not good—we all know that, but let’s not, as is said, “throw the baby out with the bath water.” Let us allow ourselves, during this season of impending and mounting joy, feel that joy, feel the mounting sense of love that our God has for each of us, and attempt more and more, to love likewise, those who make up our lives. Amen? Amen!

My friends, as I have previously mentioned, I will be away this next Sunday, November 17, 2024 taking in a retreat with my Midwest sister-priests. I have also added in a bit of vacation time before and after the retreat. Being that I won’t be with you on Sunday, I am leaving an older homily of 12 years ago, and except for the outdated examples, I think you will find that much of the overall thought is still relevant. I wish you all a good and healthy week–enjoy the weather and remember to keep on doing all the good you are always about! Remember those from our parish who are preparing for surgery, doing rehab, and preparing to relocate. Peace and love to you all, Pastor Kathy

P. S. Please know that any of you are welcome to pray on Sunday with the Congregationalists! We will gather again as a community on Sunday, November 24, 2024 at 10 A.M.

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Homily—33rd Weekend in Ordinary Time
November 17/18, 2012

My friends, I believe for many of us, the apocalyptic readings—those that describe the “end times” or the, “end of time,” are disturbing. Whether they were meant to frighten or not, the fact is, for many of us, readings like the first one today from Daniel and the selection from Mark’s gospel, do. For this reason, exegesis of the Scriptures becomes important, so that we can understand what is truly meant by words that we may otherwise just take at face value.

First, we have to understand that the ancient Israelite people had a concept of two different times—the “end times” and “the end of time.” The end times were thought to be a time of transition, when suffering and hard times would be no more, when the Chosen One, whom Christians believe is Jesus, the Christ, will come again in glory to make all things right and the kin-dom will be celebrated before the face of God, in that wonderful reality. It is a tremendously hope-filled image that is attractive to many people. The cinema has in recent years come up with such images of a time of justice when good, will reign—we have seen it in the epic series, The Lord of the Rings, and in the Star Wars movies. The “end of time” is another time, and when that time will come, none of us knows, or in fact understands just how it will be—we will just have to trust that all will unfold according to God’s loving plan.

So why are we given frightening images—of the sun and moon going dark—of stars falling from the sky? Both the readings from Daniel and from Mark have an apocalyptic tone, and part of that, the exegetes tell us, was their way to cover the subversive tone of their writings from their enemies. In Daniel’s writings, the Israelites were told that all they were suffering would come to an end—the Chosen One would come to alleviate their sufferings—this was their hope. This knowledge that their God did hear their cries and would come to save them, gave them the will to go on.

It has been thought that the reference to the “heavens and earth passing away” referred to the destruction of Jerusalem. As with the first reading, it encouraged fidelity when the people’s world seemed to be crumbling around them. And for each of us, this type of reading gives us courage in our struggles through life because there is reason to hope—we are not alone, our God is with us.
The placing of the “end times” readings on this weekend is appropriate as our Church Year is winding down, with next week’s traditional celebration of Christ the King, which in fact ends the Church Year, setting the stage for the wonderful season of Advent—a time of gentle hope, yet building anticipation for the coming of Jesus, our Way, our Truth, and our Life.

I made mention of next Sunday’s feast; in all Christian Churches, the feast is named, Christ, the King. I have mentioned this before and I humbly suggest again that we try and think of a title for Jesus that more honestly and clearly reflects his reality in our lives—what he in fact calls us to. We don’t live in a time of “kings,” so perhaps a different way of depicting him is appropriate. We might want to envision him as our Brother, which he is, having taken on our human form as Paul writes so beautifully to the Philippians. He was one who came to establish not a kingdom, which evokes a top-down, control-over mentality, but a kin-dom, based on love, compassion, mercy, justice. “Kin” as opposed to “king”–kin representing “family”—a concern for each one who makes up the family. In this light, calling Jesus, our brother makes more sense than to call him our king. If we are simply worshipping someone who stands above us, we don’t have to become engaged with that person if we don’t choose to. But when someone is your “brother” that is a whole different relationship.

This weekend’s readings serve then as a beginning to a time of transition in our Church Year, but also in our personal lives. They also remind us of the end of time, whenever and however that might come to be. The end of time—our personal time, when our life as we know it, comes to a close, need not frighten us if we strive in our lives to do our best, always keeping our eyes on Jesus, who truly shows us the way. The thought then of our God—Jesus, the Christ, coming “in the clouds,” with great power and glory,” should bring us joy and anticipation, not fear and dread.

Many people over time, from those people who were the first Christians, followers of Jesus, thought that the “end times” were inaugurated with Jesus and that the end of time would follow shortly. Jesus, they thought, had come to make all things right, get us on the path of goodness—mercy, love, justice, compassion and once we got it, Jesus would return and take us all, the faithful, with him, to heavenly glory. It seems it has taken us all, collectively, longer to “get it” then those first Christians thought. And when the end of time will come, no one knows, and perhaps it is not something we need worry about, but rather, to concentrate on the transition in our own lives.

This past week, I took the opportunity of renting a table at Winona State University (WSU) to display our “wares,” as it were, as a Catholic parish here in Winona. I recently received a letter, which I’ve mentioned before from someone taking issue with me about calling our church “Roman Catholic” in the WSU student bulletin when I don’t agree with the bishops. The last time I checked, my baptism within this Church signified that I would ultimately be following Jesus, not the bishops. It is great when the two are asking the same of me as far as how I live my life, but when that is not the case, I must follow Jesus’ lead.
My time at WSU was to offer an invitation to the student community that all are welcome at our table, should any want to pray and celebrate with us. That is what the call of the end times is all about—that we would be our best selves. I would guess that the traditional Catholic community has the same mission; that people would be their best selves; but if the choice is between following Jesus or the bishop, the choice for me is clear.

Interestingly enough, what I discovered in sitting for 5.5 hours in the lower hyphen of Kryzko Commons, a well-traveled area by students, is that “church,” as represented there is either a non-issue to them, or for Catholic students, they are an ultra-conservative lot. Three young people stopped at different times, with two engaging me and another Church member, at one point, rather passionately about the law and of how I was confusing people. Both, rather smugly, promised to pray for me and I promised the same for them. We have a long way to go my friends in helping people “get” the message of Jesus.
The hopeful note was that of my presence there and of trying to engage students as they passed by, with a smile, a greeting. We never know the seeds that we plant.

Friends, there is much suffering in our world—just this past week we heard of the renewed fighting in Jesus’ homeland. Suffering in our world has traditionally been held as a sign that the end times are near. When we look at starvation, wars and injustices around the world and in our own country; we may at times wonder if we will ever get it right. Therein lays our task as individual Christians. Jesus is constantly calling each of us to transition in our life through his blessed word in the Scriptures that we hear every week. We must not only hear the word with our ears, but let it sink into our hearts and then show its goodness—through the works of love, mercy, compassion, justice and peace in our personal lives.
I had the privilege a few years back to hear a presentation by Jim Bowey at the Minnesota Marine Art Museum. Jim is a photographer, and his presentation was on how the photographer communicates a message through his medium. He said that we communicate most and best as photographers, as people, through pictures or words, when we allow a communion to happen between those we encounter—when we let their story seep into our hearts. In reflection on my time with those passionate, ultra-conservative Catholic students, I realized that the way to make a difference with them will be by the way I am with them—trying to understand their concerns—witnessing to what I have come to, and showing them that I am not the errant, law-breaking feminist that they have been led to believe, but a faith-filled woman trying to answer God’s call in my life.

So, my friends, this week, as we ever so relentlessly move toward the end of our Church Year, anticipating the beautiful season of Advent, recalling that our brother Jesus is always with us, showing us the way, let us pray for each other that we might let his example of truth, goodness and justice for all seep into our hearts in order that our encounters with others might more regularly move from the surface to become empathic encounters, true communions with them, and through them, with our loving God.