The Revivalist

Child in the manger, infant of Mary,

Outcast and Stranger, Lord of us all,

Child Who inherits all our transgressions,

All our demerits upon Him fall.

Once the most holy Child of salvation

Gently and lowly lived here below.

Now as our glorious mighty Redeemer.

See Him victorious over each foe.

Prophets foretold Him, Infant of wonder;

Angels behold Him on His throne.

Worthy our Savior of all our praises;

 Happy forever are His own.

—-MaryMacdougall Macdonald (1789-1872)

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Today’s homily fit in nicely with this Advent season as we look forward to the return of Jesus to our world. Father sang the first lines of the GodSpell song, “Pre-pare ye the way of the Lord” and went on to remind each of us that we must prepare ourselves for His return. Repentance and confession, truly opening our hearts to His love, the need to focus on Jesus Christs this season rather than gifts, cookies, and all the other distractions…

As Catholics we have the gift of going to Confession (I know, today it’s Reconciliation, but I still think of it as Confession!). Kneeling before my priest and opening my heart, asking the Lord for His forgiveness can be scary but it is always cleansing too. The hard part is setting aside my pride and telling the WHOLE truth…no matter how embarassing or humbling.

Please pray for me this week as I prepare for a special Advent confession to ready myself for His coming. So many sins, so little strength to admit them, and a belly filled with pride…please God, help me to walk this path to YOU.

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“From village and hamlet the people came. Were you to ask some of them today ‘what was it that moved you?’ They couldn’t tell you; Only that they were moved by a power that they could not explain and the power was such as to give them to understand and see that they were hell-deserving sinners! And of course the only place they could think of where they might find help was at the church.”

Duncan Campbell

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“Such are His mercy and goodness that, even when we are engaged in our worldly pastimes and businesses and pleasures and hagglings, when we are falling into sins and rising from them again…in spite of all that, this Lord of ours is so anxious that we should desire Him and strive after His companionship that He calls us ceaselessly, time after time, to approach Him; and this voice of His is so, so sweet.”    Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)

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At bible study this week we read Acts 10. Peter is called from Joppa to meet with Cornelius and begin the conversion of the Gentiles (as I’m sure you know!)

I couldn’t help but think of the many different Christian sects in light of this passage and wonder if the message of God here (do not call anything impure that God has made clean) should not apply to them as well. Who am I to question the way they are inspired by the Holy Spirit to share the Gospel?

I thought I would share that with you all and see what thoughts you had?

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“There are some who desire knowledge merely for its own sake; and that is shameful curiosity. And there are others who desire to know, in order that they may themselves be known; and that is vanity, disgraceful too. Others again desire knowledge in order to acquire money or preferment by it; that too is a discreditable quest. But there are also some who desire knowledge, that they may build up the souls of others with it; and that is charity. Others, again, desire it that they may themselves be built up thereby; and that is prudence. Of all these types, only the last two put knowledge to the right use”

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Cheryl and I are discussing whether or not we should marry. I’d ask all of you to pray for us (not suggesting yes or no) that God may inform our choices and guide us to His will.

Thanks, I know I can count on you all. Don’t expect to hear anything soon…this is going to take some time.

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The holidays are coming and with it my favorite time of year. Not the snow and cold (though I suppose I do look forward to those too) but the time when Christ and His birth become a more common theme for our daily lives.

His humanity reminds me that I am created in God’s image and that God lives in me. His message of love and forgiveness seems so much more present around this time.

As we move toward Christmas may we each carry the love and joy of His divinity and His humanity with us!

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The Gospel reading today at Mass was about the shepherd who goes out to look for the 1 lost lamb while leaving the other 99 behind and reminds us that God rejoices when a single sinner repents.

Sam (90 and still a daily Mass person!) leaned over and said “Now we’re going to get it” as Father Steve began his homily.

Instead Father took the opportunity to remind each of us that God wants to forgive us our sins; that He rejoices when we come to Him in repentance of our sins.

It was a beautiful reminder of all that is wonderful about the sacrifice Christ offered for each one of us.

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