This week, we invite you to join our friars in five video meditations on the holiness of Advent and the joyous birth of Christ!
In today's meditation, Mark Soehner, OFM, says that in consenting to be the mother of Jesus, the Virgin Mary allowed God to love her, as God wants each one of us to do. Click here to watch it.
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John was a country lad who made good in the big city and the big university of Kraków, Poland. After brilliant studies he was ordained a priest and became a professor of theology. The inevitable opposition which saints encounter led to his being ousted by rivals and sent to be a parish priest at Olkusz. An extremely humble man, he did his best, but his best was not to the liking of his parishioners. Besides, he was afraid of the responsibilities of his position. But in the end he won his people’s hearts. After some time he returned to Kraków and taught Scripture for the remainder of his life.
John was a serious man, and humble, but known to all the poor of Kraków for his kindness. His goods and his money were always at their disposal, and time and again they took advantage of him. He kept only the money and clothes absolutely needed to support himself. He slept little, ate sparingly, and took no meat. He made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, hoping to be martyred by the Turks. Later John made four subsequent pilgrimages to Rome, carrying his luggage on his back. When he was warned to look after his health, he was quick to point out that, for all their austerity, the fathers of the desert lived remarkably long lives.
Reflection
John of Kanty is a typical saint: He was kind, humble, and generous, he suffered opposition and led an austere, penitential life. Most Christians in an affluent society can understand all the ingredients except the last: Anything more than mild self-discipline seems reserved for athletes and ballet dancers. Christmas at least is a good time to reject self-indulgence.
Rediscover the spirit of Christmas with New York Times best-selling author Thomas Moore
who turns his attention to the most enduring story of them all: the birth of Christ in Bethlehem.
I must confess in my years of studying the Bible, I have not been a big fan of King David. He seems to have a pampered relationship with God, doing whatever he wants without the consequences others suffer. David commits adultery and has the woman’s husband murdered. He disobeys God’s command not to take a census, and as a result the people—not the king—bear the brunt of the punishment. David’s later life is marked by dissolute living.
True, he suffers the loss of his beloved Absalom, son of the adulterous relationship with Bathsheba—and David grieves. But in much of the story David bounces back again and again. God keeps forgiving him. In recent years, however, my attitude has changed. I’ve begun to realize how my harsh verdict on David is the way I would treat him. I judge others and myself the same way. So often, I do not imitate God’s forgiveness, even though like David, I have been forgiven and offered other chances—many, many times.
The biblical stories of Advent present Jesus as the Son of David. Matthew’s story of Joseph’s dream in today’s Gospel helps reinforce that connection. Unlike his ancestor, Jesus is sinless. He embodies the forgiveness of God that was lavished on King David, and he brings that same forgiveness to us.
“Enough, Lord! Take my life. . . .” (1 Kings 19: 4). Sometimes life can feel overwhelming, exhausting—just too much. It seems like the world is out to get us, and no one cares. The car won’t start, the drain is clogged, the babysitter cancelled (again), and the boss just asked everyone to work late—tonight! Like the prophet Elijah, fleeing for his life, we might also be tempted to cry out, “This is enough!” Feeling overwhelmed and wanting to escape doesn’t mean we are quitters. It just means we are human—and in pretty good company.
Pray
Heavenly Father, On the night before he died, even your son prayed for release from the suffering he knew would come. And yet, he also prayed, “Thy will be done.” Send me your help, oh Lord. Give me the peace and the grace I need to always pray the same. Amen.
Act
When Elijah lies down under the tree and cries out, “Enough!” what happens? An angel brings him water and cake. There is a lesson in that. Today, give yourself a vacation from busyness. Set aside time to take a nap, enjoy a piece of chocolate, listen to some music, maybe sit under a tree and stare at the clouds. If you are feeling anxious, tell God how you feel. Be honest. And then let it go. And don’t be surprised if someone brings you a piece of cake.
Today's Pause+Pray was written by Herman Sutter. Learn more here!
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