While he may have a very unique way of saying it in Luke’s Gospel, John is telling us that joy can be found in our relationships with one another. That our ultimate joy is to be found in Jesus and that it will be through him and his saving acts in the world that we will become the best versions of ourselves. This happens because God chooses to become one of us and to walk with us building a new community with us. This is certainly good news and something to celebrate with a pink candle this Advent season and be joyful about.

That is what true stewardship is—sacrificial giving that leads to a transformed lives…to a transformed world. We do that through first fruits, proportional giving that hurts only enough to make us feel good. We might have to put our plans on hold just as George Bailey did, but when we remember our blessings—when we know that they are the way we are preparing for the Lord—then we too get to proclaim, “It’s a wonderful life.”

What Jesus did on the cross and in the sending of the spirit, changed our relationship with God. Our relationship has undergone a paradigm shift and God’s resting place has moved from the temple and into our hearts. We no longer need to search for the house of God because God now resides in our hearts. We find God when we gather for worship and fellowship.

Be kind to one another this week and in the weeks to come because our true hope does not rest in the outcome of an election, but in the moments that testify to

The sacrament of Confession and absolution is all about reconciliation and restoration of relationship. God calls us to do this hard work, as he gives us the love and the tools to do it. It’s not easy work but it is necessary work if we are to live into Jesus’ commandment to love God and love our neighbor’s as ourselves and to grow God’s kingdom in the here and now.

God does not order the world so that he or the divine beings might subjugate humanity—the world is ordered so that we might find our place and purpose in creation.

Joshua and John may have been balancing energy in their moments, but they will become reinforcing energy and in so doing they discover that, in broadening the vision, they help to build up a kingdom of God that is built on invitation, inclusion, and empowerment of all people. They are no longer a victim of their balancing energy, but a joy and vitality in their reinforcing energy.

Most if not all of us find ourselves at different points in our lives not focused on God like we feel like we should be. That is the beauty in God’s grace that he is constantly calling out to us. For me personally I usually do not recognize when it is happening that God is doing something in my life. It requires reflection on my part, looking back as I take stock of where I am. Cursillo is very much one of those moments for me. Growing in friendships and relationships especially in my relationship with God and understanding just how loved by him I am.

Jesus reveals his true identity to the disciples. He reveals the true Messiah.

Kings and dictators, presidents and prime ministers—the world has seen its fair share come and go.  A few of them have been notable, many have not, some have even brought great tragedy and destruction and, yet, the world continues, the sun rises and falls, the seasons change, and humanity moves forward.