Vanquish Fear

     “Do not look forward in fear to the changes in life. Rather, look to them full of hope as they arise. God, whose very own you are, will lead you safely through all things; and when you cannot stand it, God will carry you in His arms. Do not fear what may happen tomorrow. The same everlasting Father who cares for you today will take care of you then, and every day. He will either shield you from suffering, or will give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations.”                                                                                                                                                                                                   St. Francis de Sales


     As this year is winding down and a new year is about to unfold, it is good for us to turn to St. Francis de Sales and his excellent words of wisdom.

O Come, Let Us Adore Him

     “In the Sacrament of the Eucharist, the Savior, who took flesh in Mary’s womb over twenty centuries ago, continues to offer Himself to humanity as the source of Divine Life.”                                                   St. John Paul II



     During the Christmas holidays, our churches look so beautiful with lighted trees, rich altar tapestries, and of course, the stable, where the baby Jesus lies in the manger. And as we sing the words, “O come, let us adore Him,” we yearn deep within our hearts, to be taken back in time, gazing in awe, upon the Babe of Bethlehem.

Love Beyond All Telling

     “The Virgin Mother longed for Him with love beyond all telling.”                                     Preface 1 of Advent



     Like Mary, do we long for Jesus with love beyond all telling? Or, with just a few days left before Christmas, are we longing for it all to be behind us? Have we lost our way in all the hustle and bustle of our “to do” lists and forgotten “Who is the Reason for the Season?”

Waiting in Trust

“Waiting times are growing and learning times. As you quiet your heart, you enter His peace. As you sense your weakness, you receive His strength. As you lay down your will, you hear His calling.” Roy Lessin



     We are a people who do not like to wait. We see it as a waste of time. We must be efficient. We must produce – now – not later. So we mutter and grumble if not audibly, under our breath, until our spirit is unsettled and our peace is lost.

Covet Nothing

     “In detachment, the spirit finds quiet and repose for coveting nothing. Nothing wearies it by elation, and nothing oppresses it by dejection, because it stands in the center of its own humility.” Saint John of the Cross



     Oh! How our soul longs for the quiet and repose of which Saint John speaks! Instead we experience the roller coaster ride, with its ups and downs that weary us. Our hearts are full of worries and concerns, and we hold on tightly to attachments which push both God and His peace out.

Begin the Task Anew

     “Be patient with everyone, but above all with yourself. Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections but instantly set about remedying them – every day begin the task anew.”                             St. Frances de Sales



     Being patient with our imperfections is something most of us find difficult to do. Trying to see them as “useful” and “purposeful” for our salvation is not how they are normally perceived.

The Rusty Key

     “At Advent we should try the key to our heart’s door. It may have gathered rust. If so, this is the time to oil it, in order that the heart’s door may open more easily when the Lord Jesus wants to enter at Christmas time!”                                                                                                                                                                                                A New Guinea Christian



     What kind of “rust” has gathered on the key to our heart’s door to prevent Jesus from entering? It seems to sneak up on us until we notice its damage, and Christ is locked out!

Tabernacle of Love

     “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” ( Lk. 1 vs. 35).



     These words from St. Luke are sometimes so familiar to us, that we fail to truly grasp the reality.   GOD BECAME MAN – IN THE WOMB OF A WOMAN, and a very young woman at that! This is a statement that should just blow us away! Our finite minds cannot begin to fully comprehend just how Mary felt, but never the less, let’s try to delve into that divine mystery.