Advent Reflections

Advent Reflections
November 30, 2020

Today we begin our Felician Advent reflections. Yesterday we began the liturgical season of Advent, which is a period of needed hope and joyful expectation. The word “Advent” means “coming.” It originates from the Latin verb “advenire” which means “to come to or toward.” The Lord is always encouraging us and inviting us to come to him:

• “Come to me all you who labor and are burdened.”
• “Come, follow me.”
• “Come and see.”
• “Come to the table of the Lord.”
• “Come, let us climb the mountain of the Lord.”
• “Come, share your master’s joy.”

In times of stress and difficulty, such as our present COVID time, we tend to go elsewhere: to substance abuse, to over-eating, to self-pity and despair. We tend to look for peace and consolation in “all the wrong places.” But the Lord keeps inviting, calling, and urging us to “advenire” – that is to come to him.
The liturgical feast for today, November 30th, is the feast of the great St. Andrew, apostle and close friend of Jesus. The Gospels render two accounts of his call to follow Jesus: one occurs in Matthew’s Gospel, which is our Gospel for today; the other occurs in St. John’s Gospel. In both stories Jesus invites Andrew to follow him with the Advent imperative, “Come.” In Mathew’s Gospel, Jesus is calling Andrew and his brother Peter with the words: “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” [Note: The word “men” includes both men and women.] In John’s Gospel, Jesus, in response to Andrew’s question, “Where are you staying,” invites Andrew to “Come and See.”
The Lord and the Church offer us this graced opportunity – this time of Advent 2020 – to listen to and to respond to the Jesus’ call to come to him, especially during this time in our present history of pandemonium, polarization, and pandemic. He loves us to death and wants us to draw closer to him in intimate friendship. This time of Advent is more than just a time to routinely light those four candles on the Advent wreath. It’s a time to give him more of our time and trust. He’s calling us to come to him. And Peter said to Jesus: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”
Fr. Tom Ruekert, S.D.B., University Chaplain

Reading 1 ROM 10:9-18
Brothers and sisters:
If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord
and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead,
you will be saved.
For one believes with the heart and so is justified,
and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved.
The Scripture says,
No one who believes in him will be put to shame.
There is no distinction between Jew and Greek;
the same Lord is Lord of all,
enriching all who call upon him.
For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
But how can they call on him in whom they have not believed?
And how can they believe in him of whom they have not heard?
And how can they hear without someone to preach?
And how can people preach unless they are sent?
As it is written,
How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news!
But not everyone has heeded the good news;
for Isaiah says,
Lord, who has believed what was heard from us?
Thus faith comes from what is heard,
and what is heard comes through the word of Christ.
But I ask, did they not hear?
Certainly they did; for
Their voice has gone forth to all the earth,
and their words to the ends of the world.
Responsorial Psalm PS 19:8, 9, 10, 11
R. (10)  The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.
or:
R. (John 6:63)  Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
The law of the LORD is perfect,
refreshing the soul;
The decree of the LORD is trustworthy,
giving wisdom to the simple.
R. The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.
or:
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
The precepts of the LORD are right,
rejoicing the heart;
The command of the LORD is clear,
enlightening the eye.
R. The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.
or:
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever;
The ordinances of the LORD are true,
all of them just.
R. The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.
or:
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
They are more precious than gold,
than a heap of purest gold;
Sweeter also than syrup
or honey from the comb.
R. The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.
or:
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
Alleluia MT 4:19
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Come after me, says the Lord,
and I will make you fishers of men.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel MT 4:18-22
As Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers,
Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew,
casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen.
He said to them,
“Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
At once they left their nets and followed him.
He walked along from there and saw two other brothers,
James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John.
They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets.
He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father
and followed him.

Advent Reflections
December 1, 2020

Today’s first reading speaks of an ideal world ushered in by the Root of Jesse. It is a stable world of justice, harmony, unity, and glory. How we long for this reality, especially after this tumultuous year! Seeking comfort, many of my Facebook friends started decorating early for Christmas. They said they needed the joy and excitement of bright Christmas trees, the cozy feel of stockings hung by the fire, and the anticipation of familiar holiday tunes. I largely dismissed this early decorating for myself because I didn’t want to get “burnt out” on Christmas before Advent started. However, the week before Thanksgiving, as I commenced food prep, I sneaked a bit of Christmas music, hoping for a lift. Instead, I felt profoundly sad. Instead of fondly remembering Christmases past and anticipating this year’s gathering, I became anxious, thinking of the family meetings we’ll miss this year. I dwelt on all the things this season will lack such as office holiday parties and festive gatherings with friends. I thought of things that will be different this year, such as masked holiday shopping, socially distanced tree lightings, and strict signups for Christmas Mass. I quickly shut off the Christmas music in an effort to shut down my anxiety and sought more timeless tunes.

Advent is now upon us. Christmas is coming, and this year’s edition promises to look different. As I scrolled through a favorite Catholic website, I noticed a line from a Christmas carol highlighted: “the weary world rejoices.” Aren’t we weary this year? Weary of restriction, sickness, fear? Longing for normal times and a brighter future? What if, during this uncertain time, we committed to embrace “the thrill of hope” embodied by the babe born in Bethlehem? What if we decided to lean into the uneasiness, the unpredictability, the precarious future, choosing to trust in “a new and glorious morn” the Savior guarantees? What if we decided to welcome a smaller, calmer Advent focused on the wondrous promise of the incarnation? Isn’t one of the complaints about the season that it is so hectic and noisy? The gift of this year has been that many unnecessary events and activities have been stripped from our lives. The focus is on the essential: the essential worker, essential trips outside of our home “bubble,” essential items. The most essential Person in our lives, who brings hope and rest to our weariness and anxiety was born as a human baby in a stable. He knew discomfort, illness, sadness, and loss. He offers us true peace. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid” (John 14:27). He offers us peace and true joy that will long outlast the season of gingerbread and silly Lifetime movies. Trust in Him, wonder at His incarnation, and find true comfort in His “Peace on earth.”
Nancy Belmont, MARE (Master of Arts in Religious Education) Program, Class of 2021

Reading 1 IS 11:1-10
On that day,
A shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse,
and from his roots a bud shall blossom.
The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him:
a Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
A Spirit of counsel and of strength,
a Spirit of knowledge and of fear of the LORD,
and his delight shall be the fear of the LORD.
Not by appearance shall he judge,
nor by hearsay shall he decide,
But he shall judge the poor with justice,
and decide aright for the land’s afflicted.
He shall strike the ruthless with the rod of his mouth,
and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked.
Justice shall be the band around his waist,
and faithfulness a belt upon his hips.
Then the wolf shall be a guest of the lamb,
and the leopard shall lie down with the kid;
The calf and the young lion shall browse together,
with a little child to guide them.
The cow and the bear shall be neighbors,
together their young shall rest;
the lion shall eat hay like the ox.
The baby shall play by the cobra’s den,
and the child lay his hand on the adder’s lair.
There shall be no harm or ruin on all my holy mountain;
for the earth shall be filled with knowledge of the LORD,
as water covers the sea.
On that day,
The root of Jesse,
set up as a signal for the nations,
The Gentiles shall seek out,
for his dwelling shall be glorious.
Responsorial Psalm PS 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17
R. (see 7) Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
O God, with your judgment endow the king,
and with your justice, the king’s son;
He shall govern your people with justice
and your afflicted ones with judgment.
R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
Justice shall flower in his days,
and profound peace, till the moon be no more.
May he rule from sea to sea,
and from the River to the ends of the earth.
R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
He shall rescue the poor when he cries out,
and the afflicted when he has no one to help him.
He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor;
the lives of the poor he shall save.
R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
May his name be blessed forever;
as long as the sun his name shall remain.
In him shall all the tribes of the earth be blessed;
all the nations shall proclaim his happiness.
R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.

Alleluia
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Behold, our Lord shall come with power;
he will enlighten the eyes of his servants.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel LK 10:21-24
Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said,
“I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
for although you have hidden these things
from the wise and the learned
you have revealed them to the childlike.
Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will.
All things have been handed over to me by my Father.
No one knows who the Son is except the Father,
and who the Father is except the Son
and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.”
Turning to the disciples in private he said,
“Blessed are the eyes that see what you see.
For I say to you,
many prophets and kings desired to see what you see,
but did not see it,
and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.”

Advent Reflections
December 2, 2020

Today’s passage talks about God’s coming kingdom, how it will be like a feast of rich food, and it will be celebrated. I think today’s reading is especially positive, and may be a reminder for us all.

God says that the heavenly banquet is open for “all peoples” – he extends his invitation to all who are in need. This invitation extends to today’s Gospel verse when Jesus heals the people who need it the most yet lack the resources to get better, “the lame, the blind, the deformed, the mute.”

These two passages are put together to remind us all of the people around us who need our help. The people who cannot afford to, or cannot physically make it easier for themselves. It is our job as part of God’s kingdom to extend the invitation of love to all people.

Katherine Wittlinger,
Nursing, Class of 2023

Reading 1 IS 25:6-10A
On this mountain the LORD of hosts
will provide for all peoples
A feast of rich food and choice wines,
juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines.
On this mountain he will destroy
the veil that veils all peoples,
The web that is woven over all nations;
he will destroy death forever.
The Lord GOD will wipe away
the tears from all faces;
The reproach of his people he will remove
from the whole earth; for the LORD has spoken.
On that day it will be said:
“Behold our God, to whom we looked to save us!
This is the LORD for whom we looked;
let us rejoice and be glad that he has saved us!”
For the hand of the LORD will rest on this mountain.

Responsorial Psalm PS 23:1-3A, 3B-4, 5, 6
R. (6cd) I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
Beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
R. I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.
He guides me in right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side
With your rod and your staff
that give me courage.
R. I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.
You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
R. I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.
Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
And I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come.
R. I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.

Alleluia 
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Behold, the Lord comes to save his people;
blessed are those prepared to meet him.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel MT 15:29-37
At that time:
Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee,
went up on the mountain, and sat down there.
Great crowds came to him,
having with them the lame, the blind, the deformed, the mute,
and many others.
They placed them at his feet, and he cured them.
The crowds were amazed when they saw the mute speaking,
the deformed made whole,
the lame walking,
and the blind able to see,
and they glorified the God of Israel.
Jesus summoned his disciples and said,
“My heart is moved with pity for the crowd,
for they have been with me now for three days
and have nothing to eat.
I do not want to send them away hungry,
for fear they may collapse on the way.”
The disciples said to him,
“Where could we ever get enough bread in this deserted place
to satisfy such a crowd?”
Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?”
“Seven,” they replied, “and a few fish.”
He ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground.
Then he took the seven loaves and the fish,
gave thanks, broke the loaves,
and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds.
They all ate and were satisfied.
They picked up the fragments left over–seven baskets full.

Advent Reflections
December 3, 2020

Throughout my youth, my mother quoted hackneyed pearls of motherly wisdom. “Wear clean underwear, in case you’re hit by a bus,” “Finish your peas, there are people starving in the Ukraine,” and “Wash your hands before you eat dinner,” for example. Along with these gems, she did teach other more valuable life lessons. One of these lessons was how to recognize the distinctions between acquaintances and friends.

According to my mom:

• An acquaintance is someone you are friendly with, speaks niceties to/with you, and knows you superficially. An acquaintance never invites you into their home. Acquaintances are many and brief in nature.
• A friend is someone who understands your “inside jokes,” likes you just as you are, knows you on a deeper level. You are as welcome into a friend’s home, as they are in yours. Friends don’t care how messy your home is; when they visit you, they care about seeing you not the house.
• Though you should always be able to depend on true friends, they will sometimes disappoint you. When this happens, be forgiving, as they – like you – are only human.
  “Friendship is a two-way street,” said Mom. “If you are lucky, you will have five true friendships in your lifetime. To sustain a true friendship, both parties must be committed to preserving it.”

This reading has reminded me that we are not supposed to simply be acquainted with our Lord. We need to be in relation (in friendship) with the Lord. He is and will ever be a faithful friend to us. It is we, who must be faithful to Him. It is we who must acknowledge Him as a central part of our lives and as our savior. It is we who must put in the effort to sustain this relationship (friendship).

We need to invite Him into our hearts and our homes, and we need to allow Him to work in us and through us to become His true friend. In doing so, He will recognize us. One day He will let us do more than just visit His home. He will invite us to “enter the Kingdom of heaven.”

Jodi Shelly, MLIS, MBA
Director of University Libraries

Reading 1 IS 26:1-6

On that day they will sing this song in the land of Judah:

“A strong city have we;
he sets up walls and ramparts to protect us.
Open up the gates
to let in a nation that is just,
one that keeps faith.
A nation of firm purpose you keep in peace;
in peace, for its trust in you.

”Trust in the LORD forever!
For the LORD is an eternal Rock.
He humbles those in high places,
and the lofty city he brings down;
He tumbles it to the ground,
levels it with the dust.
It is trampled underfoot by the needy,
by the footsteps of the poor.

Responsorial Psalm PS 118:1 AND 8-9, 19-21, 25-27A

1. (26a)  Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
   or:
   R.Alleluia.
   Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
   for his mercy endures forever.
   It is better to take refuge in the LORD
   than to trust in man.
   It is better to take refuge in the LORD
   than to trust in princes.
   R. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
   or:
   R. Alleluia.
   Open to me the gates of justice;
   I will enter them and give thanks to the LORD.
   This gate is the LORD’s;
   the just shall enter it.
   I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me
   and have been my savior.
   R. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
   or:
   R. Alleluia.
   O LORD, grant salvation!
   O LORD, grant prosperity!
   Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD;
   we bless you from the house of the LORD.
   The LORD is God, and he has given us light.
   R. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
   or:
   R. Alleluia.

Alleluia IS 55:6

1. Alleluia, alleluia.
   Seek the LORD while he may be found;
   call him while he is near.
   R.Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel MT 7:21, 24-27

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’
will enter the Kingdom of heaven,
but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.

“Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them
will be like a wise man who built his house on rock.
The rain fell, the floods came,
and the winds blew and buffeted the house.
But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock.
And everyone who listens to these words of mine
but does not act on them
will be like a fool who built his house on sand.
The rain fell, the floods came,
and the winds blew and buffeted the house.
And it collapsed and was completely ruined.”

Advent Reflections
December 4, 2020

As Christmas time approaches each year, I find myself thinking deeper about the true meaning. Today, our lives are transpiring through ways in which we could have never planned nor predicted. Our world has suffered immensely; it often can be difficult to remember what our old lives were like. That is why this Christmas season, and after reflecting on this week’s message, it is important to remember that through faith we can restore our hope and look forward to a brighter future. Christmas this year, more than ever, means exponentially more than just presents and vacations. This season, we make our Christmas dinner prayers a little longer, hug our loved ones a little tighter, and remember the days we had taken for granted.

My family’s Christmas tradition is the Feast of the Seven Fishes. This old-school Italian/American tradition goes back generations in my family, and my favorite part of it is learning a little bit more about the tradition each year. The feast features several different dishes with seven types of fish/seafood, and celebrates the “La Vigilia di Natale,” meaning the wait for the birth of Jesus at midnight, ringing in the Christmas day. While this is just one of many cultural traditions, may we each value and cherish more dearly our own traditions this season.

Gianna DeStefano,

Accounting, Class of 2021

Reading 1 IS 29:17-24

Thus says the Lord GOD:
But a very little while,
and Lebanon shall be changed into an orchard,
and the orchard be regarded as a forest!
On that day the deaf shall hear
the words of a book;
And out of gloom and darkness,
the eyes of the blind shall see.
The lowly will ever find joy in the LORD,
and the poor rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.
For the tyrant will be no more
and the arrogant will have gone;
All who are alert to do evil will be cut off,
those whose mere word condemns a man,
Who ensnare his defender at the gate,
and leave the just man with an empty claim.
Therefore thus says the LORD,
the God of the house of Jacob,
who redeemed Abraham:
Now Jacob shall have nothing to be ashamed of,
nor shall his face grow pale.
When his children see
the work of my hands in his midst,
They shall keep my name holy;
they shall reverence the Holy One of Jacob,
and be in awe of the God of Israel.
Those who err in spirit shall acquire understanding,
and those who find fault shall receive instruction.

Responsorial Psalm PS 27:1, 4, 13-14

1. (1a)  The Lord is my light and my salvation.
   The LORD is my light and my salvation;
   whom should I fear?
   The LORD is my life’s refuge;
   of whom should I be afraid?
   R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
   One thing I ask of the LORD;
   this I seek:
   To dwell in the house of the LORD
   all the days of my life,
   That I may gaze on the loveliness of the LORD
   and contemplate his temple.
   R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
   I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD
   in the land of the living.
   Wait for the LORD with courage;
   be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD.
   R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.

Alleluia 

1. Alleluia, alleluia.
   Behold, our Lord shall come with power;
   he will enlighten the eyes of his servants.
   R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel MT 9:27-31

As Jesus passed by, two blind men followed him, crying out,
“Son of David, have pity on us!”
When he entered the house,
the blind men approached him and Jesus said to them,
“Do you believe that I can do this?”
“Yes, Lord,” they said to him.
Then he touched their eyes and said,
“Let it be done for you according to your faith.”
And their eyes were opened.
Jesus warned them sternly,
“See that no one knows about this.”
But they went out and spread word of him through all that land.

Advent Reflections
December 7, 2020

This past year has, without a doubt, been the most difficult year in my life.  It has brought so many heavy and painful crosses for me to carry that I often fear my legs will break from the weight.  I know many may be feeling the same.

I find myself constantly trying to find meaning, find answers, find solace in God.  The Psalm today does not hope, it STATES that God will come to save us.  How badly I want to sit with that and believe.  How badly I want to be the paralyzed man from the Gospel whom Jesus heals and forgives, who glorifies God.

As we prepare our hearts for Christmas, a familiar hymn plays over and over in my mind.  “Oh Come, Oh Come, Emmanuel.”  (Emmanuel from the Hebrew word meaning “God is with us”).  This will be my personal plea; to have God come ever near and be ever present.  It is only in realizing that I am not strong enough for my crosses that God can, then, help me carry them.

Ingrid Dul, M.A., Director of Blessed Mary Angela Institute

Reading 1 IS 35:1-10

The desert and the parched land will exult;
the steppe will rejoice and bloom.
They will bloom with abundant flowers,
and rejoice with joyful song.
The glory of Lebanon will be given to them,
the splendor of Carmel and Sharon;
They will see the glory of the LORD,
the splendor of our God.
Strengthen the hands that are feeble,
make firm the knees that are weak,
Say to those whose hearts are frightened:
Be strong, fear not!
Here is your God,
he comes with vindication;
With divine recompense
he comes to save you.
Then will the eyes of the blind be opened,
the ears of the deaf be cleared;
Then will the lame leap like a stag,
then the tongue of the mute will sing.

Streams will burst forth in the desert,
and rivers in the steppe.
The burning sands will become pools,
and the thirsty ground, springs of water;
The abode where jackals lurk
will be a marsh for the reed and papyrus.
A highway will be there,
called the holy way;
No one unclean may pass over it,
nor fools go astray on it.
No lion will be there,
nor beast of prey go up to be met upon it.
It is for those with a journey to make,
and on it the redeemed will walk.
Those whom the LORD has ransomed will return
and enter Zion singing,
crowned with everlasting joy;
They will meet with joy and gladness,
sorrow and mourning will flee.

Responsorial Psalm PS 85:9AB AND 10, 11-12, 13-14

1. (Isaiah 35:4f)  Our God will come to save us!
   I will hear what God proclaims;
   the LORD –for he proclaims peace to his people.
   Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him,
   glory dwelling in our land.
   R. Our God will come to save us!
   Kindness and truth shall meet;
   justice and peace shall kiss.
   Truth shall spring out of the earth,
   and justice shall look down from heaven.
   R. Our God will come to save us!
   The LORD himself will give his benefits;
   our land shall yield its increase.
   Justice shall walk before him,
   and salvation, along the way of his steps.
   R.Our God will come to save us!

Alleluia 

1. Alleluia, alleluia.
   Behold the king will come, the Lord of the earth,
   and he himself will lift the yoke of our capacity.
   R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel LK 5:17-26

One day as Jesus was teaching,
Pharisees and teachers of the law,
who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and Jerusalem,
were sitting there,
and the power of the Lord was with him for healing.
And some men brought on a stretcher a man who was paralyzed;
they were trying to bring him in and set him in his presence.
But not finding a way to bring him in because of the crowd,
they went up on the roof
and lowered him on the stretcher through the tiles
into the middle in front of Jesus.
When Jesus saw their faith, he said,
“As for you, your sins are forgiven.”

Then the scribes and Pharisees began to ask themselves,
“Who is this who speaks blasphemies?
Who but God alone can forgive sins?”
Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them in reply,
“What are you thinking in your hearts?
Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’
or to say, ‘Rise and walk’?
But that you may know
that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”–
he said to the one who was paralyzed,
“I say to you, rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home.”

He stood up immediately before them,
picked up what he had been lying on,
and went home, glorifying God.
Then astonishment seized them all and they glorified God,
and, struck with awe, they said,
“We have seen incredible things today.”

Advent Reflections
December 8, 2020

Ahhh…we have come to what is probably one of the most sacred of days, one which may get overshadowed by the actual birth and resurrection of our Christ, Mary’s Immaculate Conception. As I read this Gospel passage under the heavy blanket of a pandemic, these words resonated in my soul, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.” Mary, the purest of women, was never even aware of the wonder that was about to take place and the absolute majesty that she was about to gift the world. Are not we all though unaware?

During this nightmare of a pandemic, we have been stripped away of human privileges, escapisms, “normalcy” only to be replaced by feelings of entrapment, isolation, downright fear, and uncertainty. It is in the height of these dark feelings though, that we must remember Mary’s astonishment from the words of the angel. Like Mary, even when we don’t know it or feel it, God has found favor with us, each one of us individually, and we should learn to be unafraid. Believe me, I know it is very difficult right now, but see it…yes, we are somewhat trapped, isolated, downright scared, and stripped, but yes, we are also still alive, still able to communicate (albeit while our eyes roll out of our Zoom overexposed heads), still able to take a socially distanced walk, still able to appreciate now more than ever the little miracles of life, still able to escape somewhere – whether it be a physical drive to the ocean or a mental trip to Calm – still able to love, still able to smile.

God favors YOU; He ALWAYS will, through a pandemic, through an unprecedented and tumultuous political climate, through the crosses we bear, through it all! There is absolutely NOTHING God and you cannot conquer together, unafraid. The secret: open your mind, even just a splinter, and let in His favor. Grasp it, feel it, crave more of it. Mary gave us the Almighty. Let Jesus give you every wonder of His favor!

– Dr. Tara Brugnoni

Doctor of Letters,  Director of Community Rights and Responsibilities, Adjunct Assistant Professor

Reading 1 GN 3:9-15, 20

After the man, Adam, had eaten of the tree,

the LORD God called to the man and asked him, “Where are you?”

He answered, “I heard you in the garden;

but I was afraid, because I was naked,

so I hid myself.”

Then he asked, “Who told you that you were naked?

You have eaten, then,

from the tree of which I had forbidden you to eat!”

The man replied, “The woman whom you put here with meC

she gave me fruit from the tree, and so I ate it.”

The LORD God then asked the woman,

“Why did you do such a thing?”

The woman answered, “The serpent tricked me into it, so I ate it.”

 

Then the LORD God said to the serpent:

“Because you have done this, you shall be banned

from all the animals

and from all the wild creatures;

on your belly shall you crawl,

and dirt shall you eat

all the days of your life.

I will put enmity between you and the woman,

and between your offspring and hers;

he will strike at your head,

while you strike at his heel.”

 

The man called his wife Eve,

because she became the mother of all the living.

 

Responsorial Psalm PS 98:1, 2-3AB, 3CD-4

 

1. (1) Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds.

Sing to the LORD a new song,

for he has done wondrous deeds;

His right hand has won victory for him,

his holy arm.

1. Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds.

The LORD has made his salvation known:

in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.

He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness

toward the house of Israel.

1. Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds.

All the ends of the earth have seen

the salvation by our God.

Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;

break into song; sing praise.

1. Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds.

 

Reading 2 EPH 1:3-6, 11-12

 

Brothers and sisters:

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

who has blessed us in Christ

with every spiritual blessing in the heavens,

as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world,

to be holy and without blemish before him.

In love he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ,

in accord with the favor of his will,

for the praise of the glory of his grace

that he granted us in the beloved.In him we were also chosen,

destined in accord with the purpose of the One

who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will,

so that we might exist for the praise of his glory,

we who first hoped in Christ.

 

Alleluia See LK 1:28

1. Alleluia, alleluia.

Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you;

blessed are you among women.

1. Alleluia, alleluia.

 

Gospel LK 1:26-38

 

The angel Gabriel was sent from God

to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,

to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph,

of the house of David,

and the virgin’s name was Mary.

And coming to her, he said,

“Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.”

But she was greatly troubled at what was said

and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.

Then the angel said to her,

“Do not be afraid, Mary,

for you have found favor with God.

Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,

and you shall name him Jesus.

He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High,

and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,

and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever,

and of his Kingdom there will be no end.”

But Mary said to the angel,

“How can this be,

since I have no relations with a man?”

And the angel said to her in reply,

“The Holy Spirit will come upon you,

and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.

Therefore the child to be born

will be called holy, the Son of God.

And behold, Elizabeth, your relative,

has also conceived a son in her old age,

and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;

for nothing will be impossible for God.”

Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.

May it be done to me according to your word.”

Then the angel departed from her.

Advent Reflections
December 9, 2020

Today’s readings fill us with hope and trust in the love of our God—our HOLY ONE.  The Lord asks His people, “Why don’t you trust Me? Have you not witnessed all that I have done for you? … keeping you safe from your enemies, protecting you in time of trial?”  Isaiah finishes this piece with the consoling words, “They that hope in the Lord will renew their strength, will soar as eagles; running and not growing weary; walking and not growing faint.”

God’s strength envelopes us, immersing us in His love! Our responsorial psalm proclaims how He pardons and heals His people—He redeems us from any hurt or failure; and He is slow to anger. Which one of us can proclaim such love and care?

In the Gospel Jesus exclaims: “Come to Me all who are burdened and I will give you rest.”  Our God is a God of Love—we must continue to ponder the events of our lives and see all the images, examples of God’s tremendous love for us.

Today we are battling many things – perhaps one of the most challenging is COVID-19 – and we say to God, “WHERE are YOU?” Why have You left us to deal with this terrible disease?” We are struggling with so many doubts about our Father’s love and care for us. If we look at all the ways this pandemic has drawn good out of people!  Allowing us to help one another; making us more aware of ways to give of ourselves in service to others! Let us be grateful for the goodness that is blossoming and enabling us to be more open to our God’s presence among us.   Let us open our hearts to our loving God and trust in His Provident care in every aspect of our lives.  Maybe then we can proclaim “Our God is the eternal God! With Him we will run and not grow weary.  In Him we will be filled with strength.” Let us take that risk and trust Him as we take that chance and face our challenges with His unsurmountable strength.

Sister Mary Auguste Biache, CSSF

Reading 1 Is 40:25-31

To whom can you liken me as an equal?
says the Holy One.
Lift up your eyes on high
and see who has created these things:
He leads out their army and numbers them,
calling them all by name.
By his great might and the strength of his power
not one of them is missing!
Why, O Jacob, do you say,
and declare, O Israel,
“My way is hidden from the LORD,
and my right is disregarded by my God”?

Do you not know
or have you not heard?
The LORD is the eternal God,
creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint nor grow weary,
and his knowledge is beyond scrutiny.
He gives strength to the fainting;
for the weak he makes vigor abound.
Though young men faint and grow weary,
and youths stagger and fall,
They that hope in the LORD will renew their strength,
they will soar as with eagles’ wings;
They will run and not grow weary,
walk and not grow faint.

Responsorial Psalm 103:1-2, 3-4, 8 and 10

1.  (1)  O bless the Lord, my soul!
   Bless the LORD, O my soul;
   and all my being, bless his holy name.
   Bless the LORD, O my soul,
   and forget not all his benefits.
   R.    O bless the Lord, my soul!
   He pardons all your iniquities,
   he heals all your ills.
   He redeems your life from destruction,
   he crowns you with kindness and compassion.
   R.    O bless the Lord, my soul!
   Merciful and gracious is the LORD,
   slow to anger and abounding in kindness.
   Not according to our sins does he deal with us,
   nor does he requite us according to our crimes.
   R.    O bless the Lord, my soul!

Alleluia

1. Alleluia, alleluia.
   Behold, the Lord comes to save his people;
   blessed are those prepared to meet him.
   R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mt 11:28-30

Jesus said to the crowds:
“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened,
and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
for I am meek and humble of heart;
and you will find rest for yourselves.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”

Advent Reflections
December 10, 2020

I always find my assigned readings challenging, but it is usually the Old Testament that presents the challenge. God is usually portrayed as stern and vengeful and how does one relate when one is fearful.  Also, the wording is often unusual; who wants to be compared to a worm or a maggot?  Reading that line made me remember when my middle son, at around age 10, was insulted by the comparison of the Lord as a shepherd and humans as his sheep.  He did not want to be compared to an animal that we do not consider very intelligent.  He did not make the connection of how far a shepherd will go to protect his flock. Yet, despite the strange language in the Old Testament, today’s reading reveals a kind, benevolent God who is taking care of his people.

The reading that really challenged me was the Gospel.  It took several readings to understand because how can there be violence in heaven?  Heaven is perfect.  Yes, but humans are not, and it is humans who are attacking heaven.  How can people go without food when there is an abundance of waste?  How can families be separated?  How can life or death depend on how much money one has?  All the violence, political upheaval, and suffering that is inflicted or allowed to happen on earth is an attack on heaven.  There are some who have more power, and they believe that makes them better than others when, in reality, it should just give them more responsibility to care for the planet and the people who inhabit it.

We all hear the stories of someone who has very little but still manages to help others, or of a child giving up birthday presents so that others can share his/her good fortune.  We may or may not hear about the person who brings food to a sick neighbor or does any number of small things just because someone needs help.   All of these are the people who are building heaven; fighting the violence that destroys it.  They are sharing a bit of heaven with us all.

Jo-Ann Fondanarosa, M.A., Office of the Registrar, Adjunct Instructor, and Alumnus

Reading 1 IS 41:13-20

I am the LORD, your God,
who grasp your right hand;
It is I who say to you, “Fear not,
I will help you.”
Fear not, O worm Jacob,
O maggot Israel;
I will help you, says the LORD;
your redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.
I will make of you a threshing sledge,
sharp, new, and double-edged,
To thresh the mountains and crush them,
to make the hills like chaff.
When you winnow them, the wind shall carry them off
and the storm shall scatter them.
But you shall rejoice in the LORD,
and glory in the Holy One of Israel.

The afflicted and the needy seek water in vain,
their tongues are parched with thirst.
I, the LORD, will answer them;
I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.
I will open up rivers on the bare heights,
and fountains in the broad valleys;
I will turn the desert into a marshland,
and the dry ground into springs of water.
I will plant in the desert the cedar,
acacia, myrtle, and olive;
I will set in the wasteland the cypress,
together with the plane tree and the pine,
That all may see and know,
observe and understand,
That the hand of the LORD has done this,
the Holy One of Israel has created it.

Responsorial Psalm PS 145:1 AND 9, 10-11, 12-13AB

1. (8) The Lord is gracious and merciful; slow to anger, and of great kindness.
   I will extol you, O my God and King,
   and I will bless your name forever and ever.
   The LORD is good to all
   and compassionate toward all his works.
   R. The Lord is gracious and merciful; slow to anger, and of great kindness.
   Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD,
   and let your faithful ones bless you.
   Let them discourse of the glory of your Kingdom
   and speak of your might.
   R. The Lord is gracious and merciful; slow to anger, and of great kindness.
   Let them make known to men your might
   and the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.
   Your Kingdom is a Kingdom for all ages,
   and your dominion endures through all generations.
   R. The Lord is gracious and merciful; slow to anger, and of great kindness.

Alleluia IS 45:8

1. Alleluia, alleluia.
   Let the clouds rain down the Just One,
   and the earth bring forth a Savior.
   R.Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel MT 11:11-15

Jesus said to the crowds:
“Amen, I say to you,
among those born of women
there has been none greater than John the Baptist;
yet the least in the Kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
From the days of John the Baptist until now,
the Kingdom of heaven suffers violence,
and the violent are taking it by force.
All the prophets and the law prophesied up to the time of John.
And if you are willing to accept it,
he is Elijah, the one who is to come.
Whoever has ears ought to hear.”

Advent Reflections
December 11, 2020

Today’s scripture reading charges us to be followers of God and his commandments. This can be difficult as we often choose to do things our way and fail because we rely on our own strengths. My personal experiences have shown me that I need God’s guidance and direction, every day. God’s word says that if we would follow his commands that he not only bless us abundantly but that he would bless our family and even our descendants. He in fact adds that he will bless every aspect of our life. John 8:12 “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have eternal life.”

When reflecting on this scripture I realize that our life is not our own, but we are wonderfully and beautifully made in his image. We are born on purpose and with a purpose. God’s word is like a manual of instruction on how to live. God wants us to hear his voice and this can only happen when we build a relationship with Him. He wants to communicate with us so that we can know what his plans are for our life. We cannot deviate from what we are called to do.

In the Bible God is described as love. He hence desires for us to model who he is and to remove ourselves from anyone who rejects who he is and his commandments. God’s word says in John 12:26 “Whoever serves me must follow me: and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.”  In fact, God calls us to meditate on his word daily. I believe he desires for us to speak with him consistently, morning, noon, and night. It is in these quiet moments that we can harken unto his voice and better hear his instructions and plans that he has for us. It is the early morning prayers and devotion that we can get closer to him. It is finding time in the midday to be in his presence or the long drive to or from work that we can speak with him and at night before retiring we can find refuge and solace in him. Like in any relationship, communication builds a stronger foundation of understanding and trust.

Sometimes life can be stressful and confusing, and it can be difficult to understand what God wants from us in a world with so much responsibility and obligations pulling at us. God assures us in his word that he is always with us and that if we do what is right then he will assuredly bless us in all that we do. He promises that if we follow him that he would continually bless us, and the result is rewarding when we do so. So, let us all spend more time with God so that we can be more like him this Christmas Season and throughout the New Year!

Sharon Towler, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Director of Graduate Educational Leadership, School of Education

Reading 1 IS 48:17-19

Thus says the LORD, your redeemer,
the Holy One of Israel:
I, the LORD, your God,
teach you what is for your good,
and lead you on the way you should go.
If you would hearken to my commandments,
your prosperity would be like a river,
and your vindication like the waves of the sea;
Your descendants would be like the sand,
and those born of your stock like its grains,
Their name never cut off
or blotted out from my presence.

Responsorial Psalm PS 1:1-2, 3, 4 AND 6

1. (see John 8:12)  Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.
   Blessed the man who follows not
   the counsel of the wicked
   Nor walks in the way of sinners,
   nor sits in the company of the insolent,
   But delights in the law of the LORD
   and meditates on his law day and night.
   R. Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.
   He is like a tree
   planted near running water,
   That yields its fruit in due season,
   and whose leaves never fade.
   Whatever he does, prospers.
   R. Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.
   Not so the wicked, not so;
   they are like chaff which the wind drives away.
   For the LORD watches over the way of the just,
   but the way of the wicked vanishes.
   R. Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.

Alleluia  

1. Alleluia, alleluia.
   The Lord will come; go out to meet him!
   He is the prince of peace.
   R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel MT 11:16-19

Jesus said to the crowds:
“To what shall I compare this generation?
It is like children who sit in marketplaces and call to one another,
‘We played the flute for you, but you did not dance,
we sang a dirge but you did not mourn.’
For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they said,
‘He is possessed by a demon.’
The Son of Man came eating and drinking and they said,
‘Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard,
a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’
But wisdom is vindicated by her works.”

Advent Reflections
December 14, 2020

When Jesus had come into the temple area, the chief priests and the elders of the people approached him as he was teaching and said,

“By what authority are you doing these things? And who gave you this authority?”

Jesus said to them in reply,

“I shall ask you one question, and if you answer it for me, then I shall tell you by what authority I do these things. Where was John’s baptism from? Was it of heavenly or of human origin?”

This simple response reveals that Jesus is open and transparent in his teachings. Why is it that many of us have difficulty with authority. Is it because we prefer not to be corrected or told what to do? Where does authority come from?  “True authority always comes from within. It is an interior God-given quality not an exterior circumstance” Michael Marsh.

Think about an authority figure in your life. A true authority figure isn’t concerned about themselves. They inspire you to be your best. They change your mind and propel you forward. Authority isn’t about credentials and degrees. It’s about a God-given gift that is shared.

Barbara Rosatelli, MACP, Assistant Dean Center for Academic Success, Coordinator of the 3-Year Felician Experience

 Reading 1 NM 24:2-7, 15-17A

When Balaam raised his eyes and saw Israel encamped, tribe by tribe,
the spirit of God came upon him,
and he gave voice to his oracle:

The utterance of Balaam, son of Beor,
the utterance of a man whose eye is true,
The utterance of one who hears what God says,
and knows what the Most High knows,
Of one who sees what the Almighty sees,
enraptured, and with eyes unveiled:
How goodly are your tents, O Jacob;
your encampments, O Israel!
They are like gardens beside a stream,
like the cedars planted by the LORD.
His wells shall yield free-flowing waters,
he shall have the sea within reach;
His king shall rise higher,
and his royalty shall be exalted.

Then Balaam gave voice to his oracle:

The utterance of Balaam, son of Beor,
the utterance of the man whose eye is true,
The utterance of one who hears what God says,
and knows what the Most High knows,
Of one who sees what the Almighty sees,
enraptured, and with eyes unveiled.
I see him, though not now;
I behold him, though not near:
A star shall advance from Jacob,
and a staff shall rise from Israel

Responsorial Psalm PS 25:4-5AB, 6 AND 7BC, 8-9

1. (4) Teach me your ways, O Lord.
   Your ways, O LORD, make known to me;
   teach me your paths,
   Guide me in your truth and teach me,
   for you are God my savior.
   R. Teach me your ways, O Lord.
   Remember that your compassion, O LORD,
   and your kindness are from of old.
   In your kindness remember me,
   because of your goodness, O LORD.
   R. Teach me your ways, O Lord.
   Good and upright is the LORD;
   thus he shows sinners the way.
   He guides the humble to justice,
   he teaches the humble his way.
   R. Teach me your ways, O Lord.

Alleluia PS 85:8

1. Alleluia, alleluia.
   Show us, LORD, your love,
   and grant us your salvation.
   R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel MT 21:23-27

When Jesus had come into the temple area,
the chief priests and the elders of the people approached him
as he was teaching and said,
“By what authority are you doing these things?
And who gave you this authority?”
Jesus said to them in reply,
“I shall ask you one question, and if you answer it for me,
then I shall tell you by what authority I do these things.
Where was John’s baptism from?
Was it of heavenly or of human origin?”
They discussed this among themselves and said,
“If we say ‘Of heavenly origin,’ he will say to us,
‘Then why did you not believe him?’
But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ we fear the crowd,
for they all regard John as a prophet.”
So they said to Jesus in reply, “We do not know.”
He himself said to them,
“Neither shall I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

Advent Reflections
December 15, 2020

In 2007 a book was published that quickly climbed to the top of the bestseller list. It was called “Blink.” In it the author, Malcolm Gladwell, wrote about the fact that most people make crucial decisions in the blink of an eye. While some of these decisions end up being the right ones, not all do. Sometimes we need to revisit our decisions, look at them a bit more slowly and objectively, and ultimately decide if they need to be reversed.

This gospel story reminds us of the danger of being too quick to rush to judgment. The son who immediately agreed to his father’s request (in the blink of an eye) did not engage in self-reflection. If he had, he would have realized that his word meant something. Others were counting on him following through. His refusal to carry out his promise would have lasting effects, not only for all those depending on him, but also for his own integrity.

On the other hand, the son who initially refused his father’s request to go to the vineyard to work (again, in the blink of an eye) obviously revisited his decision, considered the effects it would have on both him and his father, and reached the conclusion that he had made the wrong decision. He ended up going to the vineyard as his father had requested. Jesus says that this son who was willing to examine his decision, change his mind, and ultimately do the right thing was the one who did his father’s will.

The parable reminds us that sometimes our decisions are just too quick. We can’t be overconfident and make snap judgments. We must be willing to second-guess ourselves. That’s the beauty of God’s grace. God is always willing to let us change… our minds, our hearts, our actions. It is never too late. Just as the son who initially refused his father’s request had second thoughts and realized he gave the wrong response, we, too, always have the opportunity to correct our choices.

This is the appropriate season for this task. In order to prepare ourselves for the coming of the savior this Christmas season, we must first examine our hearts to take stock of

what needs to be changed. We must then be willing to do the work to change it. And this, also, can’t be done in the blink of an eye.

Mara Zukowski, Professor of Religious Studies

Reading 1 ZEP 3:1-2, 9-13

Thus says the LORD:
Woe to the city, rebellious and polluted,
to the tyrannical city!
She hears no voice,
accepts no correction;
In the LORD she has not trusted,
to her God she has not drawn near.

For then I will change and purify
the lips of the peoples,
That they all may call upon the name of the LORD,
to serve him with one accord;
From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia
and as far as the recesses of the North,
they shall bring me offerings.

On that day
You need not be ashamed
of all your deeds,
your rebellious actions against me;
For then will I remove from your midst
the proud braggarts,
And you shall no longer exalt yourself
on my holy mountain.
But I will leave as a remnant in your midst
a people humble and lowly,
Who shall take refuge in the name of the LORD:
the remnant of Israel.
They shall do no wrong
and speak no lies;
Nor shall there be found in their mouths
a deceitful tongue;
They shall pasture and couch their flocks
with none to disturb them..

Responsorial Psalm PS 34:2-3, 6-7, 17-18, 19 AND 23

1. (7a)  The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
   I will bless the LORD at all times;
   his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
   Let my soul glory in the LORD;
   the lowly will hear me and be glad.
   R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
   Look to him that you may be radiant with joy,
   and your faces may not blush with shame.
   When the poor one called out, the LORD heard,
   and from all his distress he saved him.
   R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
   The LORD confronts the evildoers,
   to destroy remembrance of them from the earth.
   When the just cry out, the LORD hears them,
   and from all their distress he rescues them.
   R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
   The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;
   and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.
   The LORD redeems the lives of his servants;
   no one incurs guilt who takes refuge in him.
   R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.

Alleluia 

1. Alleluia, alleluia.
   Come, O Lord, do not delay;
   forgive the sins of your people.
   R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel MT 21:28-32

Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people:
“What is your opinion?
A man had two sons.
He came to the first and said,
‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’
The son said in reply, ‘I will not,’
but afterwards he changed his mind and went.
The man came to the other son and gave the same order.
He said in reply, ‘Yes, sir,’ but did not go.
Which of the two did his father’s will?”
They answered, “The first.”
Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you,
tax collectors and prostitutes
are entering the Kingdom of God before you.
When John came to you in the way of righteousness,
you did not believe him;
but tax collectors and prostitutes did.
Yet even when you saw that,
you did not later change your minds and believe him.”

Advent Reflections
December 16, 2020

I love the Advent Prophets! Their message is clear as to what we have to look forward to and how we are to be in relationship with God and one another.

Today’s First Reading and Responsorial are truly a dialog that helps us to know the love of God and the anticipation of what that Love will look like when it is Incarnate among us in Mary’s Son, Jesus – “Kindness and truth shall meet; justice and peace shall kiss.” But only if we acknowledge that it is our complete trust in God as God that will give us what we need in order to bring about this kind of relationship.

Our tradition tells us that prophets speak for God; they have been called by God, often times unexpectedly and unwillingly at first to take a particular message to God’s people. And not infrequently that message is rejected, and the prophet is banished or worse, killed by the very people the message was intended to reach.

On this Advent day in a year that has been so difficult and out of the ordinary, I find the words of the Prophet Isaiah comforting and helpful in thinking about the ways in which I need to look to the future: “Turn to me and be safe, all you ends of the earth, for I am God; there is no other!”

Perhaps if we approach the rest of this wonderful season of joyful anticipation as being out of the ordinary, Isaiah’s words will touch our hearts. And we will come to know more deeply how God wants us to live in relationship with one another in complete trust that the Love of God, incarnate in Jesus Christ will be with us as we work to bring about God’s Kingdom here and now.

Dr. Sylvia McGeary, Vice President, Academic Affairs and Mission Integration, Professor of Religious Studies

Reading 1 IS 45:6C-8, 18, 21C-25

I am the LORD, there is no other;
I form the light, and create the darkness,
I make well-being and create woe;
I, the LORD, do all these things.
Let justice descend, O heavens, like dew from above,
like gentle rain let the skies drop it down.
Let the earth open and salvation bud forth;
let justice also spring up!
I, the LORD, have created this.

For thus says the LORD,
The creator of the heavens,
who is God,
The designer and maker of the earth
who established it,
Not creating it to be a waste,
but designing it be lived in:
I am the LORD, and there is no other.

Who announced this from the beginning
and foretold it from of old?
Was it not I, the LORD,
besides whom there is no other God?
There is no just and saving God but me.

Turn to me and be safe,
all you ends of the earth,
for I am God; there is no other!
By myself I swear,
uttering my just decree
and my unalterable word:
To me every knee shall bend;
by me every tongue shall swear,
Saying, “Only in the LORD
are just deeds and power.
Before him in shame shall come
all who vent their anger against him.
In the LORD shall be the vindication and the glory
of all the descendants of Israel.”

Responsorial Psalm PS 85:9AB AND 10, 11-12, 13-14

1. (Isaiah 45:8)  Let the clouds rain down the Just One, and the earth bring forth a Savior.
   I will hear what God proclaims;
   the LORD–for he proclaims peace to his people.
   Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him,
   glory dwelling in our land.
   R. Let the clouds rain down the Just One, and the earth bring forth a Savior.
   Kindness and truth shall meet;
   justice and peace shall kiss.
   Truth shall spring out of the earth,
   and justice shall look down from heaven.
   R. Let the clouds rain down the Just One, and the earth bring forth a Savior.
   The LORD himself will give his benefits;
   our land shall yield its increase.
   Justice shall walk before him,
   and salvation, along the way of his steps.
   R. Let the clouds rain down the Just One, and the earth bring forth a Savior.

Alleluia See IS 40:9-10

1. Alleluia, alleluia.
   Raise your voice and tell the Good News:
   Behold, the Lord GOD comes with power.
   R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel LK 7:18B-23

At that time,
John summoned two of his disciples and sent them to the Lord to ask,
“Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?”
When the men came to the Lord, they said,
“John the Baptist has sent us to you to ask,
‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?’”
At that time Jesus cured many of their diseases, sufferings, and evil spirits;
he also granted sight to many who were blind.
And Jesus said to them in reply,
“Go and tell John what you have seen and heard:
the blind regain their sight,
the lame walk,
lepers are cleansed,
the deaf hear, the dead are raised,
the poor have the good news proclaimed to them.
And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me.”

Advent Reflections
December 17, 2020

December 17th is the anniversary of my grandfather Gus Bell’s death. That year we planned a big birthday party in January in celebration of my brother’s first birthday and my birthday (December 10th).  We instead had the first wake and funeral I had ever attended, and it was in my living room. I remember how majestic he looked. Truly like a king.

How fitting is today’s reading about legacy. Who are these children of the Father? Who are all these people mentioned: Jehoshaphat, Obed, Hezekiah, Ruth, Amos, Eleazar, Zadok? I challenge you today to research these names. How did their existence form the foundation for the coming of Emmanuel? The Savior of the World. And who would think that this Son of the King would be born in a manger surrounded by animals and visited by shepherds and Kings?

Who can look in my eyes and see the legacy of my grandfather? A hunter and trapper, a WWI veteran, a kind and quiet man. We spent the first six years of my life together. He was my rock.

And how ironic that our most memorable conversations were about clouds; our favorite was about those shaped like lambs. To this day, I tear up at the Lamb of God at Mass and truly feel the embrace of the Lamb of God.

Let us remember how great the men and women who preceded us are. Let us remember the communion of Saints and let us remember what great human inheritance God gave us and that the scepter of Jesus will never depart from us because we are the sons and daughters of Judah.

Have a blessed day!

Ann Verrett Guillory,ED.D., Professor

Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology

Reading 1 GN 49:2, 8-10

Jacob called his sons and said to them:
“Assemble and listen, sons of Jacob,
listen to Israel, your father.

“You, Judah, shall your brothers praise
–your hand on the neck of your enemies;
the sons of your father shall bow down to you.
Judah, like a lion’s whelp,
you have grown up on prey, my son.
He crouches like a lion recumbent,
the king of beasts–who would dare rouse him?
The scepter shall never depart from Judah,
or the mace from between his legs,
While tribute is brought to him,
and he receives the people’s homage.”

Responsorial Psalm PS 72:1-2, 3-4AB, 7-8, 17

1. (see 7)  Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
   O God, with your judgment endow the king,
   and with your justice, the king’s son;
   He shall govern your people with justice
   and your afflicted ones with judgment.
   R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
   The mountains shall yield peace for the people,
   and the hills justice.
   He shall defend the afflicted among the people,
   save the children of the poor.
   R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
   Justice shall flower in his days,
   and profound peace, till the moon be no more.
   May he rule from sea to sea,
   and from the River to the ends of the earth.
   R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
   May his name be blessed forever;
   as long as the sun his name shall remain.
   In him shall all the tribes of the earth be blessed;
   all the nations shall proclaim his happiness. 
   R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.

Alleluia 

1. Alleluia, alleluia.
   O Wisdom of our God Most High,
   guiding creation with power and love:
   come to teach us the path of knowledge!
   R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel MT 1:1-17

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ,
the son of David, the son of Abraham.

Abraham became the father of Isaac,
Isaac the father of Jacob,
Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers.
Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah,
whose mother was Tamar.
Perez became the father of Hezron,
Hezron the father of Ram,
Ram the father of Amminadab.
Amminadab became the father of Nahshon,
Nahshon the father of Salmon,
Salmon the father of Boaz,
whose mother was Rahab.
Boaz became the father of Obed,
whose mother was Ruth.
Obed became the father of Jesse,
Jesse the father of David the king.

David became the father of Solomon,
whose mother had been the wife of Uriah.
Solomon became the father of Rehoboam,
Rehoboam the father of Abijah,
Abijah the father of Asaph.
Asaph became the father of Jehoshaphat,
Jehoshaphat the father of Joram,
Joram the father of Uzziah.
Uzziah became the father of Jotham,
Jotham the father of Ahaz,
Ahaz the father of Hezekiah.
Hezekiah became the father of Manasseh,
Manasseh the father of Amos,
Amos the father of Josiah.
Josiah became the father of Jechoniah and his brothers
at the time of the Babylonian exile.

After the Babylonian exile,
Jechoniah became the father of Shealtiel,
Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel,
Zerubbabel the father of Abiud.
Abiud became the father of Eliakim,
Eliakim the father of Azor,
Azor the father of Zadok.
Zadok became the father of Achim,
Achim the father of Eliud,
Eliud the father of Eleazar.
Eleazar became the father of Matthan,
Matthan the father of Jacob,
Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary.
Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ.

Thus the total number of generations
from Abraham to David
is fourteen generations;
from David to the Babylonian exile, fourteen generations;
from the Babylonian exile to the Christ,
fourteen generations.

Advent Reflections
December 18, 2020

EMBRACING DISRUPTION

Joseph had a good plan, a simple plan – marry Mary, his betrothed, have and raise children amid family and friends, and follow God’s law set down by Moses and the Prophets.  Unfortunately, Scripture tells us in MT 1:18-25 that the plan is disrupted when Joseph learns that Mary is pregnant and knows he is not the father. How crushing and disillusioning this must have been for Joseph, putting him in a seemingly untenable situation.  In a culture where engagement was a marital agreement between families, Joseph had to develop a plan-b. Follow the letter of the law and divorce Mary, publicly casting her in the worst possible light, shaming her and her family, and leaving her essentially homeless or quietly divorce her which would release her from the marital agreement. Scripture tells us that Joseph, a righteous man, faithful to the law, cared deeply about Mary and did not want her to endure a public disgrace, so he chose the less intrusive option of a quiet divorce.

Just when he thought plan-b was the right decision, it too is disrupted.  This time by a dream in which he perceives God, through a messenger, inviting him to make a bolder choice, a plan-c so to speak.  Take Mary as his wife and accept the unborn child as his own. This plan-c is not without some serious consequences because by marrying Mary Joseph knew judgment and punishment would now fall on him as well. Despite an uncertain future Joseph’s choice of plan-c was possible because he lived a life of compassion, faith, and a belief that God was with him in this messy mix of unanticipated circumstances.

Like Joseph, we all live in the tension between our plans and disruptions, our expectations and the unexpected, life as we want it to be and life as it happens. Joseph did not blame or complain, or ignore, or deny the disruptions but waded into them and in doing so experienced God hidden in the intersection of his disrupted plans.  COVID will inevitably disrupt our cherished Christmas plans of family gatherings, Midnight Mass in a Church, and travel to visit family and friends we have not seen.  Can we embrace the COVID precautions rather than complain, ignore, or deny their importance in slowing the spread of the virus? If we pause might we find God hidden at the intersection of our cherished Christmas plans and the disruptions brought about by the pandemic?  If we really listen deeply within our hearts might we too find an unexpected path through the disruptions as Joseph did?

Dolores M. Henchy, D.Min., Professor of Religious Studies & Dean, Center for Academic Success & Effectiveness

Reading 1 JER 23:5-8

Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD,
when I will raise up a righteous shoot to David;
As king he shall reign and govern wisely,
he shall do what is just and right in the land.
In his days Judah shall be saved,
Israel shall dwell in security.
This is the name they give him:
“The LORD our justice.”

Therefore, the days will come, says the LORD,
when they shall no longer say, “As the LORD lives,
who brought the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt”;
but rather, “As the LORD lives,
who brought the descendants of the house of Israel
up from the land of the north”–
and from all the lands to which I banished them;
they shall again live on their own land.

Responsorial Psalm PS 72:1-2, 12-13, 18-19

1.  (see 7) Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
   O God, with your judgment endow the king,
   and with your justice, the king’s son;
   He shall govern your people with justice
   and your afflicted ones with judgment.
   R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
   For he shall rescue the poor when he cries out,
   and the afflicted when he has no one to help him.
   He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor;
   the lives of the poor he shall save.
   R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
   Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel,
   who alone does wondrous deeds.
   And blessed forever be his glorious name;
   may the whole earth be filled with his glory.
   R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.

Alleluia 

1. Alleluia, alleluia.
   O Leader of the House of Israel,
   giver of the Law to Moses on Sinai:
   come to rescue us with your mighty power!
   R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel MT 1:18-25

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.
When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph,
but before they lived together,
she was found with child through the Holy Spirit.
Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man,
yet unwilling to expose her to shame,
decided to divorce her quietly.
Such was his intention when, behold,
the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,
“Joseph, son of David,
do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.
For it is through the Holy Spirit
that this child has been conceived in her.
She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus,
because he will save his people from their sins.”
All this took place to fulfill
what the Lord had said through the prophet:

Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel,

which means “God is with us.”
When Joseph awoke,
he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him
and took his wife into his home.
He had no relations with her until she bore a son,
and he named him Jesus.

Advent Reflections
December 21, 2020

For most of my life, I have approached Mondays with a touch of disdain. It has always been the beginning of a long week rather than simply a beginning. It was never instinctual for me to approach Mondays with joy because after a day of rest, it seemed almost rude to force my mind and body back into what seemed like endless emails, meetings, classes and studies. In contrast to my usual approach, today’s first reading from the Song of Songs begins with a call to joy –

“Hark! my lover–here he comes springing across the mountains, leaping across the hills. My lover is like a gazelle or a young stag.”

We are encouraged and earnestly caught up in the excitement of King Solomon as he sets his eyes on his beloved, like a shepherd calling to his sheep – and like sheep, we await our Shepherd, to be born in just a few more days.

And even more beautiful is the way the joy and excitement of Solomon spills over into the Gospel, where Mary, though pregnant herself, travels quickly and with so much joy and excitement to meet her cousin, Elizabeth, pregnant with John the Baptist. The infant in Elizabeth’s womb leaps with joy at her coming, and speaks the all-too familiar words of my favorite prayer: Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb! What is often forgotten, however, are the final lines that follow:

“Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”

Because how often are we so downtrodden by the day-to-day struggles, the struggles of a difficult, turbulent and challenging year, the struggle of battles fought silently? How often are we overcome with desolation and doubt both in God and in ourselves? It is here that I recall the reactions of both Mary and Elizabeth when the Angel Gabriel announced to them the coming of their sons – both were afraid, both were filled with trepidation – and yet, the announcements were met with joy because rather than seeing their circumstances through doubt, they chose to see them through faith instead. Doubt erased by faith. Fear erased by joy.

Like Mary and Elizabeth, I am prompted instead to see each moment, and each Monday, through the eyes of joy instead, knowing that God in this joyful Advent season will deliver to us brightest Light – the Light of the World – on Christmas Day.

May His light shine on you this week and through the rest of the Christmas season. Pace e bene.

Paula Danika A. Binsol, Felician University School of Nursing ‘14

Reading 1 SG 2:8-14

Hark! my lover–here he comes
springing across the mountains,
leaping across the hills.
My lover is like a gazelle
or a young stag.
Here he stands behind our wall,
gazing through the windows,
peering through the lattices.
My lover speaks; he says to me,
“Arise, my beloved, my dove, my beautiful one,
and come!
“For see, the winter is past,
the rains are over and gone.
The flowers appear on the earth,
the time of pruning the vines has come,
and the song of the dove is heard in our land.
The fig tree puts forth its figs,
and the vines, in bloom, give forth fragrance.
Arise, my beloved, my beautiful one,
and come!

“O my dove in the clefts of the rock,
in the secret recesses of the cliff,
Let me see you,
let me hear your voice,
For your voice is sweet,
and you are lovely.”

or

Zep 3:14-18a

Shout for joy, O daughter Zion!
Sing joyfully, O Israel!
Be glad and exult with all your heart,
O daughter Jerusalem!
The LORD has removed the judgment against you,
he has turned away your enemies;
The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst,
you have no further misfortune to fear.
On that day, it shall be said to Jerusalem:
Fear not, O Zion, be not discouraged!
The LORD, your God, is in your midst,
a mighty savior;
He will rejoice over you with gladness,
and renew you in his love,
He will sing joyfully because of you,
as one sings at festivals.

Responsorial Psalm PS 33:2-3, 11-12, 20-21

1. (1a; 3a)  Exult, you just, in the Lord! Sing to him a new song.
   Give thanks to the LORD on the harp;
   with the ten-stringed lyre chant his praises.
   Sing to him a new song;
   pluck the strings skillfully, with shouts of gladness.
   R. Exult, you just, in the Lord! Sing to him a new song.
   But the plan of the LORD stands forever;
   the design of his heart, through all generations.
   Blessed the nation whose God is the LORD,
   the people he has chosen for his own inheritance.
   R. Exult, you just, in the Lord! Sing to him a new song.
   Our soul waits for the LORD,
   who is our help and our shield,
   For in him our hearts rejoice;
   in his holy name we trust.
   R. Exult, you just, in the Lord! Sing to him a new song.

Alleluia  

1. Alleluia, alleluia.
   O Emmanuel, our King and Giver of Law:
   come to save us, Lord our God!
   R.Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel LK 1:39-45

Mary set out in those days
and traveled to the hill country in haste
to a town of Judah,
where she entered the house of Zechariah
and greeted Elizabeth.
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting,
the infant leaped in her womb,
and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit,
cried out in a loud voice and said,
“Most blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb.
And how does this happen to me,
that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears,
the infant in my womb leaped for joy.
Blessed are you who believed
that what was spoken to you by the Lord
would be fulfilled.”

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