On this, the last Sunday of Advent, the great mysteries and personalities we have heard from over the past weeks suddenly converge in new ways. The prophetic promises made by Jeremiah, Baruch, Zephaniah over the past three Sundays and today, Micah to Israel foretold a just shoot from the house of David, a messenger of comfort, a mighty savior and a strong shepherd become stories of two children to be born, one the son of an elderly woman beyond child-bearing years, the other the son of a young virgin, conceived […]

“What must we do?”  We hear that question asked three times in today’s gospel account.  What must we do?  Much like the Jewish people in the time of Jesus, Christians have asked that question down through the centuries, as if we could achieve salvation and redemption by ourselves.  It is easy – in our pride – to think that whether or not we will go to heaven is tied to the sum of our good deeds.  Of course, as we humbly admit our sinfulness, we come to recognize that we […]

As we see from the two candles lit on the wreath before us, Advent is well underway; Christmas is only 18 days away!  So, have you found that most important gift yet?  Do you even know what it is?  Everyone has his or her concept of what is most important.  Our lesson on this, the Second Sunday in Advent, presents us with a man who understood what was most important in his life.  His name was John.  We know him as John the Baptist.  Listen again as we hear the […]

I heard an interesting ad on KYW earlier this week.  It was for one of those new vacation packages.  Rather than going on a cruise to some exotic destiny, the ad invites you to a health spa on a ranch in the Midwest where you will be offered the latest health care treatments and learn about how changes in your diet and exercise will help you extend your life.  After all, the ad asserts, the most important destiny is a long and healthy life.

Today, as we celebrate the First Sunday […]

“For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth.”  We just heard Jesus make this very important, defining declaration in today’s gospel.  And, in just a little more than four weeks, we will celebrate the birth of Jesus.  Have you started your Christmas shopping yet?  But today, as we come to the end of our liturgical year, we hear Jesus testify why he was born: to testify to the truth.  And, although we didn’t hear it in today’s gospel passage, we’re […]