In this season of hope, Advent, the word of God gives us a vision of hope. The mighty who rely on their own political power and alliances will be crushed, but the poor, the deaf, the blind, that is, those who still believe in God’s presence and action in the world, will see salvation. So
The first reading comes from an insert in Isaiah that was written in a later period. It speaks of God’s judgment and the victory of God over “cities” of sin. But Jerusalem, God’s community, God’s city, will stand. Those faithful to God can rely on him: he is faithful and solid as a rock. Those
One of the original group of followers of Ignatius, Francis Xavier became the first and perhaps the greatest missionary of the Jesuits. After sowing the seeds of the gospel in many parts of Southeast Asia, he began the work of evangelization in Japan, the fruits of which were so cruelly destroyed later. He died on
For Isaiah the sign of the messianic times is that through the Messiah God will give to his people an abundance of food and drink. People long for life, for peace. Prisoners want to be free, the blind want to see, the hungry want bread. But likewise, people hunger for consolation, friendship, forgiveness, understanding, acceptance,
God will make a new beginning with people in the Messiah, in Jesus. He is the young shoot sprouting from the roots of the stump from the line of David and God’s Spirit rests on him. He will bring peace – not the peace of resignation and the status quo, but the peace and harmony
Andrew must have been a seeker of God. He first followed John the Baptist, then, when John had pointed out Jesus he transferred to Jesus. He brought several to Jesus: his brother Simon Peter, some Greeks looking for Jesus; at the multiplication he noticed the boy with the loaves and the fish and brought him
Greeting I welcome you with the greeting of St. Paul: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. R/ And also with you. Introduction by the Celebrant • Let Us See Your Face During this Advent, we are confronted again with a question vital to us Christians: what
Year II. The book of Revelation gives us today an optimistic vision of the future: the river of life leads to the tree of life. It is God and the Lamb of God that give us a wonderfully fertile and lasting life. Gospel. Still, the gospel warns us. We may not choose the easy way
Year II. The Book of Revelation gives us today a vision of hope: God will ultimately be victorious; the forces of evil will be chained for good, the just will reign with God, a new heaven and a new earth will come, God’s people (the new Jerusalem) will be pure. We must be aware that
Year II. In 539 B. C. King Darius had taken the great city of Babylon that had driven the Jews into exile. Likewise, the new Babylon, the city of Rome that was persecuting the young Church, will fall and Christians will openly sing the praise of God. Gospel. The destruction of Jerusalem and the signs
