Fr. Longenecker on the “Four First Things”

“It’s traditional in Advent to preach on the four last things: death, judgment, heaven and hell.

“While I value the tradition, why not think this year about the four first things instead of the four last things?

“By these, I’m thinking of the foundation principles, not just of the Catholic faith, but of everything that is. If you don’t have the foundations in place, when the tempest rages, the house will fall. And one of the problems with the Catholic Church today (and with our modern society) is that we have built on shaky foundations.”

In a recent commentary, Father Dwight Longenecker (parish priest at Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, Greenville, SC) reflected on the first four things, Light, Life, Law, and Love, being intertwined and being incarnate in the Child of Bethlehem.

To access Fr. Longenecker’s complete post, please visit:

National Catholic Register: Commentary: The Four First Things (8 DEC 13)

Background information:

Dwight Longenecker - Catholic priest and author