Pope Francis Issues Apostolic Exhortation “Evangelii Gaudium”

“The joy of The gospel fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus. Those who accept his offer of salvation are set free from sin, sorrow, inner emptiness and loneliness. With Christ joy is constantly born anew. In this Exhortation I wish to encourage the Christian faithful to embark upon a new chapter of evangelization marked by this joy, while pointing out new paths for the Church’s journey in years to come.”

Pope Francis recently issued his first Apostolic Exhortation, “Evangelii Gaudium,” in which he outlined his vision for a missionary Church, whose “doors should always be open.”

To access a copy of the complete document, please visit:

Pope Francis: Apostolic Exhortation: Evangelii Gaudium

Media reports:

Vatican Radio: Pope issues first Apostolic Exhortation: Evangelii Gaudium

Vatican Radio: Papal Exhortation: Feedback to his comments on socio-economic issues

Reflection Starter from Doug Ivester

“Never let your memories be greater than your dreams.” – Doug Ivester

The Advent Virus

Be on the alert for symptoms of inner Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. The hearts of a great many have already been exposed to this virus and it is possible that people everywhere could come down with it in epidemic proportions. This could pose a serious threat to what has, up to now, been a fairly stable condition of conflict in the world.

Some signs and symptoms of The Advent Virus:

• A tendency to think and act spontaneously rather than on fears based on past experiences.
• An unmistakable ability to enjoy each moment.
• A loss of interest in judging other people.
• A loss of interest in interpreting the actions of others.
• A loss of interest in conflict.
• A loss of the ability to worry. (This is a very serious symptom.)
• Frequent, overwhelming episodes of appreciation.
• Contented feelings of connectedness with others and nature.
• Frequent attacks of smiling.
• An increasing tendency to let things happen rather than make them happen.
• An increased susceptibility to the love extended by others as well as the uncontrollable urge to extend it.

(Source Unknown)

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for Your faithfulness.

Msgr. Pope on God’s “Weakness” Being Stronger than Satan’s Power

“There is a line in the Letter to the Hebrews which reads: You made [Jesus] for a little while lower than the angels; you crowned him with glory and honor, [‘]subjecting all things under his feet.’ In ‘subjecting’ all things (to him), he left nothing not ‘subject to him.’ Yet at present we do not see ‘all things subject to him,’ but we do see Jesus ‘crowned with glory and honor’ because he suffered death, (Heb 2:7-9)

“Now this text is clear about two things. First, All things are subject to Jesus. Second, we do not presently see or experience that all things are subject to him. Why is this? Fundamentally it is because we experience grave injustice in this world and it seems to us that wickedness and evil are often triumphant. Our sufferings too can discourage us that God has any power at all. Such things do not seem to us to be subject to Christ. Yet the text is clear that all things are under his feet even if it does not seem so.”

In a recent commentary, Monsignor Charles Pope (pastor of Holy Comforter-Saint Cyprian Parish, Washington, DC) reflected on how, even though it does not appear to be true when we view God’s apparent weakness and question the apparent triumph of evil, God has indeed triumphed and His power is indeed being manifested through the humility of Jesus and through our own weakness.

To access Msgr. Pope’s complete post, please visit:

Msgr. Charles Pope: How is the “Weakness” of God Stronger than Satan’s “Power?” (26 NOV 13)

Reflection Starter from Sam Levenson

“I believe that each newborn child arrives on earth with a message to deliver to mankind. Clenched in his little fist is some particle of yet unresolved truth, some missing clue, which may solve the enigma of man’s destiny. He has a limited amount of time to fulfill his mission and he will never get a second chance, nor will we. He may be our last hope. He must be treated as top-sacred.” – Sam Levenson

“O Come, Divine Messiah”

As we continue our Sunday celebration, I offer this version of “O Come, Divine Messiah” (as sung by the HRC Sisters Choir in Angeles City, The Philippines):

Holy Father’s Prayer Intentions for December

The Holy Father’s prayer intentions for December are:

General intention: “That children who are victims of abandonment or violence may find the love and protection they need.”

Mission intention: “That Christians, enlightened by the Word incarnate, may prepare humanity for the Savior’ s coming.”

First Sunday of Advent

Today the Church celebrates the First Sunday of Advent. The assigned readings are Isaiah 2:1-5, Romans 13:11-14, and Matthew 24:37-44. The Responsorial Psalm is Psalm 122 (Psalm 122:1-9).

For one version of the Responsorial Psalm set to music, please visit:

YouTube: Responsorial Psalm - Psalm 122

The Gospel reading is as follows:

Jesus said to his disciples: “As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. In those days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day that Noah entered the ark. They did not know until the flood came and carried them all away. So will it be also at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be out in the field; one will be taken, and one will be left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken, and one will be left. Therefore, stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come. Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour of night when the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and not let his house be broken into. So too, you also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”

Reflections on this day and on these readings:

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Sundays Salesian: First Sunday of Advent (December 1, 2013)

Msgr. Charles Pope: A Recipe for Readiness – A Sermon for the First Sunday of Advent (30 NOV 13)

Dr. Marcellino D’Ambrosio: The REAL Meaning of Christmas Lights

Catholic News Agency: Pope Francis: Advent is a journey towards horizon of hope (1 DEC 13)

Verbum Domini: Seeing Forever (28 NOV 13)

The Deacon’s “Cherpumple”: Homily for 1st Sunday of Advent (30 NOV 13)

The Quiet Corner: Remember the past, maintain hope for the future (28 NOV 13)

Word on Fire: Sermon 673: The Mountain of the Lord: 1st Sunday of Advent

The Sacred Page: Happy New Year! The 1st Sunday of Advent (27 NOV 13)

Dr. Scott Hahn: In a Dark Hour (December 1st 2013 – First Sunday in Advent)

The Catholic World Report Blog: Advent and the Apocalypse (30 NOV 13)

Spirituality of the Readings: Wait A Bit (First Sunday of Advent A)

The Word Engaged: Seeing Daylight (First Sunday of Advent A)

Dominican Friars, Province of St. Joseph: Word to Life Radio Broadcast: 1st Sunday of Advent (29 NOV 13)

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the blessings and opportunities You provide for us during the holy season of Advent.

Elizabeth Scalia on the Blessings of Advent

“Welcome! Welcome! I shed tears of gratitude and joy that you have come round again, O Advent, to shake us from our torpor as early night comes, and the match is struck, and the message is brought home once more; that we are forever in the absence of light; it is beyond us and exterior until we make it welcome and bring it, like a lover, within. Welcome into our deepest void, welcome into the parts of us touched by human frost and stunted. Welcome, O Light, beaming glorious, into remotest apertures of our souls, rays aglow, warmth permeating where we have left old fires unattended and embers to wane, and our abysses to grow chill, and uninhabitable. Welcome light; dispelling illusion, and chasing old ghosts to rest.”

In a recent commentary, writer Elizabeth Scalia reflected on the some of the blessings of the Advent season.

To access Ms. Scalia’s complete post, please visit:

The Anchoress: Holy Advent; Holy Hope in Light (30 NOV 13)

Reflection Starter from Pope Benedict XVI

“At the beginning of a new yearly cycle, the liturgy invites the Church to renew her proclamation to all the peoples and sums it up in two words ‘God comes.’ . . . The one true God, ‘the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,’ is not a God who is there in Heaven, unconcerned with us and our history, but he is the-God-who-comes. He is a Father who never stops thinking of us and, in the extreme respect of our freedom, desires to meet us and visit us; he wants to come, to dwell among us, to stay with us. His ‘coming’ is motivated by the desire to free us from evil and death, from all that prevents our true happiness. God comes to save us.” – Pope Benedict XVI