The Traditional Church encourages three days of fasting, abstinence and prayer this week, and these “Ember Days” happen four days a year with the change of seasons. (How do we fast? By abstaining from meat and eating only one full meal, with two snacks as needed, and replacing it with prayer.) Why fasting? Because it … More Advent, Ember Days
Today is the Feast of St. Lucy. A beautiful feast in its own right, but I’ve been waiting for this day for another reason. It’s time to plant the Christmas Wheat. There are so many beautiful Advent traditions from all over the world that seem to be slipping away as we are pushed by a … More Advent, paying attention
Today is the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. This particular Marian Apparition which occurred in 1531, but goes all the way back to St. Luke, continues to amaze me. It is one of the most detailed miracles with so much evidence left behind still to this day. I have included links to quick summaries, … More Advent, turning rocks to gold
“Guadete in Domino semper: iterum dico, guadete.” “Rejoice in the Lord always: again I say, rejoice.” Philippians 4:4 Repetition being a sign of importance, this verse in Scripture is not so much a suggestion as it is a command. Like a loving parent who will raise their voice to get the attention of a child … More Advent, the abdication of anxiety
“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign. Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel.” Isaiah 7:14 And in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee, called Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name … More Advent, Rorate Caeli
The mailbox is filling up with invitations. So many parties, events, opportunities to be together with so many different groups of people. They are all so good, I can never decide. And the inbox is filling up with so many questions. What do you want for Christmas? What do you want to eat? Where do … More Advent, the invitation
I took off work today in obedience to this Holy Day of Obligation. It was a struggle to even ask for it, against my people-pleasing ego in the midst of the busiest time of the year. Busy, not just because Christmas is coming, but year-end for accountants…sigh. Yet, once again, I find myself incredibly grateful … More Advent, Feast of the Immaculate Conception
“And may the Lord multiply you, and make you abound in charity towards one another, and towards all men: as we do also towards you.” 1 Thessalonians 3:12 Abound in charity, overflow in love. As traffic gets thicker, lines get longer, and resources get lower, there is a tendency to feel empty and drained, not … More Advent, overflowing
There are two aspects to an invitation. The expression of desire and of permission. We can’t invite someone into our home and then leave part of them standing outside. “Behold, I stand at the gate and knock. And anyone who lets me in, I will sit down, and I will take my repast with him.” … More Advent, Come, Lord Jesus
The overwhelming feeling of this Advent season is that I must turn back to God. But what does it mean to turn back to God? Start over. Reform. “To reform literally means, not to make a new form, but to go back to the original form…back to that dream-form in the mind and heart of … More Advent, the evidence of faith, hope, and love
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