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Gospel Reflection from Our Seminarian Sam Hill:
Advent has shown that, 1: we need God’s help, 2: we prepare for God’s coming by having confident hope, and 3: God’s presence on earth is a reason for joy. This is the last Sunday before Christmas, he is almost here! We are given a final choice—do we have faith or not? will we allow God to enter into the world through our lives? There is no greater example of this faith than in Mary. When Mary says to the angel Gabriel, Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word, she makes the greatest act of faith of all time. How so? She says “yes” to bearing Jesus within her, she believes and holds-firm to the stories she had been taught. She knows the story of Adam and Eve, Moses and the burning bush, the Ark of the Covenant, and David’s Temple. She knows the greatest desire of God is to dwell among his people. Despite every doubt and question she could have had, she leads her response by her faith. Elizabeth fittingly says to Mary, Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled. Faith is what brings God into the world both at the first Christmas and today. When we make an act of faith we willing drop our worries, doubts, and pains, and instead live firmly placed in God’s presence—He will be peace.
Gospel Reflection from Our Seminarian Sam Hill:
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Gospel Reflection from Our Seminarian Sam Hill:
Last Sunday the Gospel told us to think about God coming to dwell among us especially where we need the most healing in our lives. This Sunday, our message is from John the Baptist, prepare the way of the Lord. John proclaims that our Messiah is almost here, he is actually coming whether we are ready or not! Maybe when you think about a certain struggle in your life, you feel stuck or have given up hope for it ever being different. John is instructing you to hold your head up, and beyond all your deepest doubts, let yourself trust in Jesus’ promise to heal every seemingly incurable wound. The way that we can prepare for the coming of Jesus is to open ourselves to the gifts he brings. Only in confident and expectant faith can Jesus really enter our lives.
Gospel Reflection from Our Seminarian Sam Hill:
In the Gospel for the 1st Sunday of Advent Jesus speaks to his disciples about his second coming,“…And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory…your redemption is at hand.” The anticipation and the excitement for the coming of Jesus applies to us right now! It is easy to be joyful and happy about the celebrations during the Holiday Seasons, but what is always at the core of our happiness is the fact that our God came to dwell among us. Our creator wants to live with us as our friend and save us from all that worries us. That is why Advent is a season of purple like Lent. We have joy because we know Jesus came into the world at Christmas, but we are also reminded of a time before Jesus came and humanity desperately needed redemption. Right after Thanksgiving it is a good time to reflect on all the things we’re thankful for, but looking forward to Christmas it is a good time to reflect also on the things we struggle with and need to let God come and redeem.