Friends,

I had trouble figuring out what title to give this homily.  It is basically an explanation of the Messianic Expectations of the 2nd Temple Period in Judaism.  I use Fr. Giambrone's book The Bible and The Priesthood as a guide in this homily.

Friends,

Welcome to Advent!

This is a time of blasting and searing judgment.  I reflect on how a searing knife can close up a wound so that the healing process can begin.  This is what Advent is for us.  We close up the wounds that sin has caused within us.

This is how we make ourselves ready for the Nativity of our Lord at Christmas.

Friends,

As we approach the first Sunday of Advent, let us begin to contemplate ways that we can give to Christ of our whole livelihood and not just from our comfort.

Friends,

We continue our reading from Maccabees and hear of those that cover the mark of their circumcision and try to live as the gentiles do.  We are faced with the same situation today in a society that is increasingly secular.  Those in the Church often fall into this same temptation to cover over the marks of Baptism.

Friends,

In today's Gospel reading, Jesus gives us another teaching on how we are to love our neighbors.

We reflect on how the love of God must always precede the love of neighbor.  In our haste to serve our neighbors we must never neglect to love God first.  It is only in loving God first that we can actually love our neighbor.

Friends,

Today's entrance antiphon invites us into the spiritual life.  It reminds us that when we engage in acts of charity, we must never forget to include an invitation to prayer and relationship with God.

We must engage both contemplation and charity.  We must constantly seek the face of God.

Friends,

In Sunday's readings, we hear St. Paul speak of being poured out as a libation.  This could remind us of another of St. Paul's epistles where he speaks of Christ as being emptied out and taking the form of a slave.

This is a good invitation to how to live out the life of a Christian.  We are to pour ourselves out just as St. Paul did in imitation of Christ.

Friends,

Today's reading reminded me of a couple of other scripture passages and of a truth of the spiritual life.

I reflect on how the pursuit of virtue and righteousness help us to fortify against the thief.

Friends,

Today I was given the opportunity to lead a communion service for a group of middle schoolers.

We reflect on the imagery found so often in scripture of the bridegroom and the bride.

Friends,

Today is the feast of St. Paul of the Cross.  He teaches us that to be close to the heart of Christ is the desire to lead all men to follow the will of Christ.

We cannot talk of loving as Christ loved without speaking of the need to seek righteousness.