Ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  We are invited to approach God directly with our intentions as Abraham did in the first reading today.  Jesus tells us to be bold in our prayer - and to be persistent.  We ought not be selfish, however, asking for the things that we want.  Rather, our prayer should be that of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane: "Not my will, Father, but your will be done."

Today's Scripture readings all challenge us to do away with greed and to put on Jesus Christ.  In the Gospel we have the story of the rich landowner who only thinks of himself.  In the end, he enjoys a bountiful harvest for himself, but he risks losing his very soul.  Jesus tells us that it will be the same for us, if we do not store up our treasure in heaven.

Seek first the Kingdom of God, and everything will be given to you besides.

The cross - or better, the crucifix - draws us to the heart of Jesus Christ.  We cannot help but look in awe and adoration at the one who is crucified for our sake.  Jesus himself said, "When I am lifted up, I will draw all people to myself" (Jn 12:32).  We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you, because by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

As we begin our most sacred liturgy of the Triduum, we focus especially on the gift of the Eucharist, as well as the mandate to serve our brothers and sisters.  In this - and every - liturgy, we are not simply re-enacting events from long ago; we participate in mystery in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

In this liturgy we ask God to bless the Holy Oils that will be used throughout the liturgical year.  With these oils -- especially the Sacred Chrism -- God's children will be anointed to "bring glad tidings to the lowly" in the name of Jesus Christ.  Anointing is not a symbolic action; it actually brings about what it celebrates.  What an awesome gift from the Father!

"Blessed are you..."; "Cursed is the one...".

The readings and the Psalm today confront us with a choice.  Will we be among those who are blessed, putting our hope in the Lord, or will we focus instead on ourselves alone and be cursed?  The prophet Jeremiah paints a picture of what it looks like to trust in the Lord:  The one who has faith is like a tree planted near water. Even in times of drought and danger, they are not distressed; for their roots run deep.  May God help us to strengthen our trust and our faith in Him.

The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord fits well within the Christmas season.  This mystery in helps us to see how we are incorporated into the Body of Christ.  Through our baptism - and participation in the Church - we are united with the Lord, who is one with the Father and the Holy Spirit.  Today's Gospel treats two important questions: First, since John the Baptist baptized Jesus, is he more important than Jesus?  Secondly, why was it even necessary for Jesus to be baptized, since he never sinned?  May God renew the grace of baptism in each one of us!

Today the Gospel reading presents us with the mystery of the Visitation.  Mary and Elizabeth, pregnant with the Son of God and John the Baptist, delight in the wonders that God is doing.  They are models for us today, for our God is still with us.  May we rejoice in exultation and proclaim the Good News everywhere:  Our God is in our midst!

Today we begin the holy season of Advent.  Advent means "Coming", and in this holy season we get ready to celebrate the First Coming of Christ (i.e., the Incarnation, at Christmas), and we anticipate the Second Coming of Christ at the end of time.  In addition to that, however, we cannot forget that Jesus Christ is with us TODAY, and at every moment of our lives, through the Scriptures, the Church, and especially in the Sacraments.  Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, tomorrow, and always. 

Today's solemnity has us extolling Jesus Christ as King of the Universe.  It's an exalted title, to be sure!  It does more than tell us who God is; it also speaks to our dignity.  If the Lord is King, then you and I are sons and daughters of the King.  We are God's beloved children now!  Let us strive always to live up to this high calling.