We have spent the past weeks preparing for the birth of the Savior. We have celebrated His birth. We have honored Mary as the Mother of God. NOW THE HARD PART-- We are to live daily the mysteries we have received. The everyday routines, the daily demands, and our crosses become REAL. Yet it is the ordinary living that we come to experience the REALITY OF GOD'S EVER PRESENT LOVE. Within the EVERYDAY love and living become one-- AND REAL!

Each year at this time we make a list of resolutions in order to improve ourselves. Unfortunately we usually come up short. Try making a SHORT list of 2 or 3 petitions to God for the GRACE to become closer to God and serve others with love. We need assistance DAILY beyond our good will and determination. We need God and GOOD family/friends as companions for the journey. May God bless you and your loved ones for the Great Adventure that is 2021!

This past year has been a great challenge -- physical, mental, and spiritual dimensions. Yet, there were signs of grace, courage, and HOPE! This episode centers on these examples of light over darkness, love over fear, and compassion over indifference. We can walk into 2021 with a strength from ABOVE and a willingness to BE FOR OTHERS!

Time is a precious gift. Time is finite here on earth. Do we live each day as a ' short game' grasping the attractions of the moment? Do we seek things which pass away? Or do we play a ' long game' ? Is our time horizon ETERNITY? How we live each day is a practice for for where and how we will spend eternity; with God or without God? TODAY is our door into eternity. Play the LONG GAME!

There is a cost to discipleship; to following Christ. We cannot have a Christ without a Cross. Our ultimate fidelity belongs to God and NOT earthly powers. This brings opposition, sometimes suffering and death. St Thomas Becket obeyed God's will rather than King Henry II. BECKET paid the ultimate earthly price but gained the ETERNAL TREASURE-- Eternal life with God. The world is opposed to God's rule. Each day we must decide: obey God or men!

Today we honor and lament the loss of life through violence, abuse, and neglect. From life in the womb to the abuse and neglect of children, the culture of death is around us. God is THE God of LIFE! We are to build the civilization of life and love. This episode is one of LIFE and HOPE.Those who have engaged in the culture of death DO NOT LOSE HOPE! You can be a powerful witness for life by God's mercy and grace. With God it is NEVER TOO LATE! Pray and ACT each day on behalf of the Sacred gift of life.

The strength of a family is its spiritual and moral foundation. The Holy Family-- Jesus, Mary, and Joseph-- have much to teach about family life in our own times. This episode reflects on the meaning of being a holy family in today's world.

Today we honor St Stephen the first Christian martyr. This reminds us that following Jesus from Bethlehem also means following him to Calvary. Discipleship comes through COSTLY GRACE! Each day we we are called to die to ourselves so as to TRUELY LIVE NOW AND IN ETERNITY. Such is the truth of CHRISTIAN REALISM.

A blessed, holy, and joyfilled Christmas! Today is born THE SAVIOR of the world. Today is GOD'S LOVE STORY for each of US! It is a most suprising story. Listen and it speak to YOU.