Heart to Heart: Faith Seasons Podcast

Today's Ornament of Grace for Tuesday of the Third Week of Advent is St. Rose Philippine Duchesne.

Zephaniah 3:1-2, 9-13
For then will I remove from your midst the proud braggarts, and you shall no longer exalt yourself on my holy mountain.  But I will leave as a remnant in your midst a people humble and lowly who shall take refuge in the name of the Lord…

In 1769, Rose Philippine Duchesne was born to a prominent family of Grenoble, France. The parish her family attended welcomed missionary priests who served in Louisiana, colonized by the French.  Rose listened and wished she, too, could serve the Native Americans there.  Later, this desire would be realized, but it took a long time.

When she was around twelve, Rose was sent to a monastery to be educated by the Visitation nuns. When Rose’s father found out she was becoming enamored with monastic life, he brought her home to be tutored. Yet, Rose’s desire to enter religious life did not go away.  In 1788, she entered the Visitations against her family’s wishes.

Just four years later, revolutionaries shut down the monastery during the French Revolution’s Reign of Terror, scattering the nuns.  Rose returned to live with her family in a country home, trying to remain faithful to the Visitations’ Rule of Life while caring for her family, prisoners, and others impacted by the Reign of Terror.  When Napoleon came to power in 1801, Catholics were again allowed to practice their faith openly.  Rose returned to the monastery only to find it practically destroyed. By this time, most of the nuns were elderly and found it too difficult to live there.  Rose, now the Superior, had only three companions.

In northern France, Madeleine-Sophie Barat founded the Society of the Sacred Heart, an active order educating young women.  Wanting to establish a community in Grenoble, southeastern France, Barat was introduced to Rose by her spiritual director. The women agreed to merge their communities since they shared an educational ministry. After the Napoleonic Wars, Barat sent Rose to establish a convent and open a school in Paris.  A bishop from Louisiana visited the convent in 1817, seeking religious to teach the Indian and French children of his diocese. Rose’s childhood desire was reawakened, and she asked Barat to send her there.

Rose, with four other Sisters, went to New Orleans in 1818.  After a ten-week trip at sea, they arrived to find the bishop had arranged no housing for them. So, taking a steamboat up to St. Louis, Missouri Territory, they settled in nearby St. Charles.  There, they established the first free school west of the Mississippi, a simple log cabin.  A year later, the bishop moved them to Florissant, Missouri, where they opened a school and novitiate. 

Many settlers were very poor, and the new foundation struggled. The Sisters had to learn English and suffered from the cold in poor housing. They lacked money for school, convent, and novitiate needs and often went hungry. Still, by 1828, the group had established six communities and was operating several schools. 

Asked by the Jesuits to join them in educating the Potawatomi Indians in Kansas, the Sisters went enthusiastically.  Rose, now elderly, could not teach there because she could not master their language, but she was sent to pray. That is what she did until she became too feeble and returned to St. Charles. There, in a cramped room under the stairway, she lived the rest of her life.  Blind, weak, with little companionship, she felt no human or divine consolation. Still, Rose Philippine Duchesne faithfully sought refuge in the Lord until she died at 83.

OBSERVING THE BEAUTIFUL ORNAMENTS

How can faith help us seek refuge in the Lord and trust in His love even when we feel like a failure, are fearful, or suffer sickness?

Learn More
Heart to Heart, a Catholic Media Ministry: htoh.us
420 W County Line Rd, Suite 200
Barrington, IL 60010

Submit a prayer request: htoh.us/prayers

Support our ministry with a financial gift: htoh.us/donate

Today's Ornament of Grace for Monday of the Third Week of Advent is Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Zechariah 2:14-17
Sing and rejoice, O daughter Zion!  See, I am coming to dwell among you, says the Lord.  Many nations shall join themselves to the Lord on that day, and they shall be his people, and he will dwell among you, and you shall know that the Lord of hosts has sent me to you.

Today is surely a day to sing and rejoice – and maybe even dance!  This is a time for celebration, for we know that the Lord does dwell with us.  Realizing this, even in a very small way, should bring us deep joy and true excitement. 

Before the Incarnation, God’s Chosen Ones waited in expectation while the prophets offered them hope. One choice for today’s reading is from Zechariah. It explains that God is about to do something totally unexpected and wonderful for all nations. People then did not have the gift of knowing how Jesus came to live with us.  Today we may know it in our minds, but we might need someone to help us open our hearts to such a wonder.  Our Lady of Guadalupe, whose feast we celebrate, might just be the perfect someone to help us because she loves us so much.

This is a true, familiar story to many.  Briefly, Juan Diego, an indigenous man in what is now Mexico, had a vision of Our Lady on this day in 1531. She directed Juan Diego to tell the bishop to build a church at the site of her appearance so that all would know that she, the Mother of God, was their mother too. The bishop needed to be sure of the apparition, so he asked Juan for a sign from heaven as proof.  When Juan asked Mary for the sign, she told him to gather roses from a rocky, wintry hillside.  He did so.  Then he went to the bishop, opened his cloak, and the roses fell out.  Greater still was the image of Our Lady imprinted on Juan Diego’s cloak. 

If you have the good fortune to have a picture of Our Lady of Guadalupe, you see her eyes are cast down in humility.  Juan Diego would easily have recognized her beautiful dark skin and hair as one of his own people.  She is looking lovingly at her beloved child.  Around her waist is a band indigenous women wore when pregnant.  On her loose cloak or mantle are stars. These 46 stars represent the constellations visible over Mexico on Dec 12, 1531.  While we cannot see the sun because Our Lady’s image blocks it from our view, it is surely present, as the rays emanate from behind her.  She stands on the moon.  The picture might remind us of a passage from the Book of Revelation: “A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.  She was with child…”.

The best news is that Our Lady of Guadalupe promised all who come to her that she would hear and answer them, for she is our mother and loves us as her children.

OBSERVING THE BEAUTIFUL ORNAMENTS

What in the story or in the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe draws you to prayer?

Learn More
Heart to Heart, a Catholic Media Ministry: htoh.us
420 W County Line Rd, Suite 200
Barrington, IL 60010

Submit a prayer request: htoh.us/prayers

Support our ministry with a financial gift: htoh.us/donate

Today's Ornament of Grace for Sunday of the Third Week of Advent is Jeremiah the Prophet.

James 5:7-10
Be patient… until the coming of the Lord.  See how the farmer awaits the precious yield of the soil.  He looks forward to it patiently while the soil receives the winter and the spring rains.  You, too, must be patient.  Steady your hearts, because the coming of the Lord is at hand… As your models in suffering hardships and in patience… take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

Jeremiah, because he had a tender heart and cared about his people, is sometimes called the “Weeping Prophet.”  He did weep before the Lord as we might in challenging times, but he did whatever God asked of him. When the Chosen People did not listen to God’s truth, Jeremiah patiently waited in great suffering for God’s redemption.

Born into a priestly family around 650 BC in a town just northeast of Jerusalem, Jeremiah heard God’s call as a young man.  He felt that call as if it were a burning fire within him. Trying to resist, he told God he was too young and could not speak for Him. But God assured young Jeremiah that He would put His words into the prophet’s mouth; so, Jeremiah accepted his call, trusting God.

Jeremiah lived during a period of transition in the Near East. The Assyrians had been the world power for about two hundred years, but, as with all world powers, their empire declined.  Tiny Judah, which had been under Assyrian control, realized a brief bit of independence.  Babylonia, which includes present-day Iraq and parts of Syria, emerged as the strongest power in the region.

The Babylonians had been decent to Judah, though they expected payment because they provided protection from other invaders.  During the reign of good King Josiah, the tribute arrangement worked out.  After Josiah’s death, his son Jehoiakim refused to pay tribute to the Babylonians.  Jeremiah told the King to pay tribute and all would be well; the prophet also warned that, if Jehoiakim did not pay tribute, Judah would be destroyed.

The King did not listen, but he died before he saw total disaster.  His son then assumed the throne and also refused to listen to God’s guidance through Jeremiah.  So, the Babylonians attacked Jerusalem; the King of Judah surrendered and went into exile with many of his subjects.  The lucky ones died in the battle.  Jeremiah’s word had proved true.  Yet, the faithful prophet had to live through the attack, watch Jerusalem be destroyed, and see his people taken into captivity,

For forty years, Jeremiah suffered intensely to bring God’s message to all who would listen.  Early on, his own family wanted to kill him.  Over and over, he was beaten, attacked, threatened by kings, mocked, thrown into jail, and even left to die in an empty well.  God rescued him, not from suffering, but from death, and Jeremiah’s prophetic ministry continued – alone.  God had commanded him not to marry or have children, so even that comfort was denied him. 

Though he argued with God, weeping before Him many times, Jeremiah continued to urge the people of God to listen to their Maker.  Moreover, he gave them hope for the future.  He wanted them to wait for the refreshing rains that would pour salvation into the world.  He told them, “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

OBSERVING THE BEAUTIFUL ORNAMENTS

How can the virtue of Hope help us to patiently prepare the soil of our hearts to receive Jesus this Advent?

Learn More
Heart to Heart, a Catholic Media Ministry: htoh.us
420 W County Line Rd, Suite 200
Barrington, IL 60010

Submit a prayer request: htoh.us/prayers

Support our ministry with a financial gift: htoh.us/donate

Today's Ornament of Grace for Saturday of the Second Week of Advent is St. Vincent Ferrer, OP.

Matthew 17:9a, 10-13

…The disciples put this question to him: “Why do the scribes claim that Elijah must come first?”  In reply, he said: “Elijah is indeed coming, and he will restore everything.  I assure you, though, that Elijah has already come, but they did not recognize him and did as they pleased with him.  The Son of Man will suffer at their hands in the same way.” The disciples then realized that he had been speaking to them about John the Baptizer.

Today’s Gospel picks up just after the Transfiguration where Peter, James, and John saw Jesus talking to Moses and Elijah and being transfigured.  Jesus showed these disciples that he valued the law and the prophets. Now Jesus explains to them that John the Baptist is the new Elijah preparing the way for the Messiah.  Jesus also shows that true prophets must suffer as John suffered and warns the disciples of His own suffering to come.

St. Vincent Ferrer was a follower of Jesus and lived much like John the Baptist in preparing people of his time to recognize Jesus as Savior through true repentance.  Like John, Vincent got an early start in knowing the Lord. Finishing his classical studies at 8 years of age, he began to learn theology and philosophy at 14. By 18, Ferrer had decided to enter the Dominican Order where, in the novitiate, he suffered great temptations to leave.  Through penance, he conquered these desires, was professed, and, by age 29, was ordained a priest.  He then earned a doctorate in theology and taught at the university level.  He served as spiritual director for one of the three men claiming to be Pope at the time. Soon, Vincent set out to evangelize Western Europe.

Though mild-mannered and kind, Vincent was an eloquent, fiery speaker like John the Baptist before him. He converted many over twenty-plus years.  Vincent practiced penance, showing by his life the beliefs he promoted, offering his suffering so that others could desire eternal life.

Vincent did not eat grasshoppers or wear animal skin as John the Baptist had, but he wore very poor clothing and lived simply. Fasting constantly, he would rise at 2:00 a.m. to pray.  Every day he celebrated Mass, preached for hours, tended the sick, and carefully prepared his homily for the next day before retiring.  In Jesus’ name, he worked miracles.

While Vincent is known for converting many Jewish people to Catholicism, he would not consider that his goal.  One source said that he led mobs to seize a synagogue and make it into a church, but another reliable source relates that the Jewish converts made their synagogue into a church.  No one is perfect, and we do not know the whole truth.  Another reliable source explains that Vincent stopped riots against Jews and, with his eloquence, talked people bent on persecuting the Jews to be at peace with them. Since he was mild-mannered by nature, it is hard to imagine he used his voice for anything other than good.

What we know for sure is that Vincent, called by God as all of us are, used his gifts and his life to prepare the way for Jesus, our Savior, to come into their hearts.  Was he imperfect?  Yes.  Is that hopeful for us all?  Yes. 

OBSERVING THE BEAUTIFUL ORNAMENTS

This Advent, how can we, like St. John the Baptist or St. Vincent Ferrer, use our gifts to prepare our own heart and the hearts of others to receive the Savior?

Learn More
Heart to Heart, a Catholic Media Ministry: htoh.us
420 W County Line Rd, Suite 200
Barrington, IL 60010

Submit a prayer request: htoh.us/prayers

Support our ministry with a financial gift: htoh.us/donate

Today's Ornament of Grace for Friday of the Second Week of Advent is Tran Minh Nhat.

Matthew 11:16-19

“What comparison can I use to describe this breed? They are like children squatting in the town squares, calling to their playmates: ‘We piped you a tune but you did not dance! We sang you a dirge but you did not wail! In other words, John appeared neither eating nor drinking, and people say: ‘He is mad!’ The Son of Man appeared eating and drinking, and they say, ‘This one is a glutton and drunkard, a lover of tax collectors and those outside the law!’ Yet, time will prove where wisdom lies.”

In today’s Gospel, Jesus calls out those who write off John because they did not like his way of life; they specifically complained about John’s sacrificing food and drink.  Then, this same group apparently finds fault with Jesus because He eats and drinks.  Obviously, it’s not a lesson about food or no food. Rather, Jesus confronts harmful biases and unfair preconceived opinions of others. He shows the childishness of quick, closed-minded decisions to shut a person out.

Of course, our human brains are wired to categorize almost instantly based on our experiences, our education, and much more. This can be handy. If we need to pick up fruit from the produce department, we don’t have to head down the cereal aisle. It’s not so good, however, if we do not allow ourselves to find true wisdom because we categorize people, writing them off before really trying to understand them.

Being open to understanding both the gifts and the needs of all our brothers and sisters can be costly. Jesus welcomed all:  the tax collectors, the outcasts, the poor, the sick, and those from other regions and faiths, and it cost Him everything. If we try to do the same, we can expect to suffer, too. Yet, what wisdom it is to know the joy awaiting those who suffer for justice!

As a Catholic Christian, Tran Minh Nhat understood the need for openness to opposing views and to just practices. As a journalist, he wrote articles for the Vietnam Redemptorist News, established by The Catholic Order of Redemptorists who have been bringing the Good News of Jesus to the poor and abandoned of Vietnam since 1925.  Tran’s articles focused on human rights, social justice, and religious freedom.

In 2011, Tran Nhat wrote in support of a multi-party political system and for freedom of speech. He also organized protests against China’s mining operations in Vietnam’s Central Highlands and other toxic practices.  For these good works, he was arrested in Ho Chi Minh City for “…activities aiming to overthrow the people’s government.”  This was a legal clause that empowered the Vietnamese government to criminalize people promoting democracy in any form.

In 2013, Tran was sentenced to four years in prison followed by three years of probation. Prison conditions were inhumane, and he did not receive needed medicines; nor was he allowed reading materials. He went on a hunger strike to protest not only his own treatment, but also the treatment of his fellow prisoners who suffered grievously. Finally, he was released in 2015.  Still, even after his release, Tran and his family continued to suffer almost constant verbal and physical harassment.  He was beaten and subjected to toxic substances.  His family’s plants and property were damaged and then burned. 

Tran Minh Nhat chose truth and justice, Jesus’ way, over safety. This Advent, let us be as courageous as Tran. Let us listen in love to all our brothers and sisters before we judge too quickly, miss the light of wisdom, and lose our way to Bethlehem, Calvary, and, finally, eternal joy.

OBSERVING THE BEAUTIFUL ORNAMENTS

How do your biases and prejudices sometimes keep you from listening and perhaps learning from someone with a different viewpoint?

Learn More
Heart to Heart, a Catholic Media Ministry: htoh.us
420 W County Line Rd, Suite 200
Barrington, IL 60010

Submit a prayer request: htoh.us/prayers

Support our ministry with a financial gift: htoh.us/donate

Today's Ornament of Grace for Thursday of the Second Week of Advent is The Immaculate Conception of Mary.

Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12

Praised be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has bestowed on us in Christ every spiritual blessing in the heavens! God chose us in him before the world began, to be holy and blameless in his sight, to be full of love...

Today is a solemn feast of Mary, our Mother. Sometimes people think of this Advent feast as being about Mary’s conception of Jesus, but it is not.  Still, it is appropriate for Advent.  For Mary’s Conception was God’s way of preparing a mother for Jesus.  He preserved her from original sin from the instant she was given life.  That is why today we celebrate Mary’s conception in the womb of her mother, St. Anne.

Pope Pius IX stated the teaching of the Immaculate Conception in an encyclical titled “Ineffabilis Deus,” which means “Ineffable God,” a God too great to be expressed in words.  In this letter the Pope said, “…from the moment of her conception, the Blessed Virgin Mary was, by the singular grace and privilege of Almighty God, and in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, Savior of Mankind, kept free from all stain of original sin.”  Our Lady herself, appearing to St. Bernadette at Lourdes in 1858, confirmed this.  She told Bernadette: “I am the Immaculate Conception.”

According to Tradition but based upon non-canonical sources, Mary’s mother Anne (Hannah in Hebrew) was born in Bethlehem, and she married Joachim.  After their marriage, they lived in Nazareth, leading holy lives.  They did not have any children, so Joachim suffered ridicule at the Temple.  He went away to the country to seek help from God.  Anne, missing him, suffered even more from being childless. So, she asked God to please let her bear a child.  If she did conceive, she promised God she would dedicate that child to Him.  We can conclude that Joachim returned to Nazareth. Anne, grateful to have her husband back with her, conceived.  And, she certainly seems to have kept her promise to dedicate her child to God.

We may not know much about Anne and Joachim factually. Still, we can surmise a great deal about them.  The Holy Spirit would have prepared their hearts to bring such a child as Mary into the world.  We can guess that they were loving parents to raise Mary, and excellent grandparents for Jesus.  Surely, they taught Mary to listen to God, to trust in His promises, and to do as He asked.  They certainly instructed her in the Scriptures and taught her to pray, something they would have known well.  Mary, then, would have been given by her parents, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the foundation she needed to be the holy Mother of God.

We do know that Mary learned well the Word of God, contemplated it, and obeyed it.  So, when we celebrate the Immaculate Conception, we might also remember Mary’s parents, Anne and Joachim, and their part in our salvation history.  How they would have rejoiced when they knew they could bring a child of God into the world, a joy so many parents find when they know they will be sharing in God’s act of creation.

On this feast, let’s share the happiness of Anne and Joachim that our own Blessed Mother was conceived, lived a sinless life, and said “Yes” to God for each of us. She made it possible for us to receive, as St. Paul says in today’s letter to the Ephesians, “… every spiritual blessing in the heavens!”

OBSERVING THE BEAUTIFUL ORNAMENTS

In addition to participating in Mass, what are some ways we can celebrate this wonderful feast of the Immaculate Conception?

Learn More
Heart to Heart, a Catholic Media Ministry: htoh.us
420 W County Line Rd, Suite 200
Barrington, IL 60010

Submit a prayer request: htoh.us/prayers

Support our ministry with a financial gift: htoh.us/donate

Today's Ornament of Grace for Wednesday of the second week of Advent is St. Monica.

Isaiah 40:25-31

The Lord is the eternal God, creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint nor grow weary, and his knowledge is beyond scrutiny. He gives strength to the fainting; for the weak he makes vigor abound. Though the young faint and grow weary, and youths stagger and fall, they that hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar as with eagles’ wings; they will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint.

Monica, patron saint of mothers, was born in present-day Algeria, western North Africa.  Her parents, small landowners, gave her in marriage early in life to Patricius, a Roman pagan with authority in their city.  He had an abusive mother who caused Monica a great deal of sorrow.  But she drew strength from prayer and accepted her mother-in-law.  Her husband also led a wild life of infidelity and extreme sensual pleasures.  While all this would cause most of us to “faint and grow weary,” Monica remained faithful to prayer, daily Mass, and good works, renewing her strength day by day.

Monica counseled women who complained of difficulties at home, saying, “If you can master your tongue, not only do you run less risk of being beaten, but perhaps you may even, one day, make your husband better.”  Her gentle kindness soon brought her mother-in-law around.  And, after thirty years of Monica loving her husband into wholeness, he converted.

Monica and Patricius had three children who survived infancy, two boys and a girl. One of her sons and her daughter became religious.  The other son became well-known later as St. Augustine of Hippo.  His road to sanctity was not an easy one for his mother, as he would admit in his famous book, Confessions.

Augustine was a lazy boy, so Monica sent him to Carthage to study when he was 17. HIs father died while he was there, and Monica watched Augustine’s progress carefully.  He excelled in school and became a teacher.  Monica was proud of her son for that.  Sadly, though, he was converted to Manicheanism which saw the world dualistically, with the material part being dark or bad and the spiritual as light or good. Such dualism did not leave room for the goodness of all creation.  As we know, creation is a gift from God that we are to treasure. To heighten Monica’s distress, Augustine chose to live with a mistress for around ten years.

Monica, however, never gave up on her son, praying for him with tears every day for many years.  Monica followed her son to Rome, but she found he had gone to Milan from there.  So, she followed him to Milan. There, she asked St. Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, to speak with Augustine.  Ambrose was an instrument of grace for Augustine. At 28, Augustine opened his heart to God.

After this, Monica and Augustine enjoyed six wonderful months together in the Italian Lombardy region, both striving for holiness.  Then, Monica and Augustine headed back to Africa, stopping in the Roman seaport city of Ostia on the way.  There, Monica died in peace, knowing that her wayward son, all her children, as well as her husband and mother-in-law were now in God’s hands. Monica never gave up, and she drew upon strength from God to walk with those who needed her by them.  Surely, she sailed right into heaven!

OBSERVING THE BEAUTIFUL ORNAMENTS

During the Advent Season, who can you pray and sacrifice for who is struggling with the faith? 

Learn More
Heart to Heart, a Catholic Media Ministry: htoh.us
420 W County Line Rd, Suite 200
Barrington, IL 60010

Submit a prayer request: htoh.us/prayers

Support our ministry with a financial gift: htoh.us/donate

Today's Ornament of Grace for Tuesday of the second week of Advent is St. Nicholas.

from Matthew 18:12-14

“… A man owns a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away; will he not leave the ninety-nine out on the hills, and go in search of the stray?  If he succeeds in finding it, believe me he is happier about this one than about the ninety-nine that did not wander away.  Just so, it is no part of your heavenly Father’s plan that a single one of these little ones shall ever come to grief.”

Ho! Ho! Ho!  O what a happy feast comes along in the second week of Advent!  St. Nicholas – the man behind the legend of Santa Claus, wants to bring a smile to old and young alike. While our little ones may find a small treasure or sweet treat in the shoes they have left out for St. Nicholas, those who are older may learn to walk in shoes of grace.  Both will have big smiles as they find what awaits them!

St. Nicholas, a Bishop, did not want anyone entrusted to his care to wander away and come to grief.  He understood Jesus’ words in today’s Gospel of the man going after the single lost sheep and rejoicing when he found it. 

Born in Lycia on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey, Nicholas journeyed to a region of ancient Egypt.  He is said to have ruled a great monastery for a time. He became the Bishop of Myra in Lycia and was one of the most influential religious leaders of the 4th century.  Fearing Nicholas’ influence in bringing many to the Christian faith, Emperor Diocletian imprisoned the gentle Bishop.  Constantine, a convert to Christianity, then rose to the throne and freed Nicholas.

One gruesome legend tells of three children who, while playing, wandered into town, losing track of time. They went into a butcher’s shop to ask for a bite to eat, and the butcher invited them inside.  Then he cut them up to sell as meat.  Later, Bishop Nicholas came to the butcher, put his hand over the salting tub and, praying, asked God to raise the children up.  The little children awakened and went home to their joyful families.  Since that time, Nicholas has been the patron and protector of children. 

Another legend tells of a father who could not afford his three daughters’ dowries and planned to sell his girls.  For each, a gold purse was thrown from the street, and at least one landed in a daughter’s shoe.  The father, forever grateful, repented of his wish to sell his girls and praised Nicholas everywhere.  This probably accounts for the shoes being put out for surprises from St. Nicholas.

Mainly, St. Nicholas loved God, the Church, the poor, and children.  He distributed his wealth to the poor.  When cast into prison under Emperor Diocletian, he taught the faith fearlessly.  He loved justice and is said to have successfully defended falsely accused men, freeing them from execution.  He participated in the Council of Nicaea which gave us the Creed we recite at Mass. While still alive, he was already considered a saint.  People found peace and comfort in his presence during difficult times. 

Children may happily put out their shoes on the night of December 5 so that St. Nicholas can fill them with sweet surprises to be discovered on his feast.  Adults may want to ask St. Nicholas to give them “graced shoes” to help them journey through life with generosity, justice, mercy, and the desire to protect and love children.  When we walk with the gifts of St. Nicholas, we walk with joyful grace everywhere we go.

OBSERVING THE BEAUTIFUL ORNAMENTS

In this Advent season, what gifts can we share with the poor and needy as St. Nicholas did? 

Learn More
Heart to Heart, a Catholic Media Ministry: htoh.us
420 W County Line Rd, Suite 200
Barrington, IL 60010

Submit a prayer request: htoh.us/prayers

Support our ministry with a financial gift: htoh.us/donate

Today's Ornament of Grace for Monday of the second week of Advent is St. Sebastian.

from Romans 15:4-9

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul’s words to the Romans in today’s second reading offer us encouragement.  Sometimes our Advent journey becomes a little more difficult by the second week.  St. Sebastian, a saint who endured and encouraged, might inspire us to continue.

Sebastian was born in Narbonne, Gaul (now France) around 255 A.D.  His parents were from Milan, Italy, and raised him in that city.  Sebastian, strong in the Lord, saw Christians being martyred for their faith by Emperor Diocletian.  He wanted to help his brothers and sisters in Christ by going undercover. To do this, he enlisted in the army around 283 and quickly became a captain.  He distinguished himself and was assigned to guard Emperor Diocletian.

As part of this elite Praetorian Guard, Sebastian was able to bring supplies to persecuted Christians.  Secretly teaching many about the risen Jesus, he encouraged them to be faithful, no matter how great their suffering, and to look forward to eternal life.

Twin brothers, Marcus and Marcellinus, were deacons in the Christian Church.  They had been condemned to death for refusing to publicly offer sacrifices to the Roman gods.  Their parents were not Christians and asked the emperor to give the boys three days for reflection.  The parents hoped the boys would renounce their faith and be saved from execution. The request for time was granted. 

During that brief period, Sebastian was able to convert the twins’ parents.  He also converted the son of the local prefect as well as other prominent officials.  Among these were Nicostratus with his wife Zoe.  Zoe had been a mute for six years but was able to make Sebastian know she wanted to become a Christian.  As soon as she was baptized, she could speak.  Her husband Nicostratus then brought 16 more prisoners to Sebastian, and all were converted.  Seeing this, the guard with power over the prison set all the prisoners free.

Sebastian, after converting so many high-profile individuals, could no longer fly under the emperor’s radar. In 286, someone reported him as a Christian, and the emperor ordered Sebastian put to death.  Sebastian did not blame anyone for reporting him.  He kept his eyes on Jesus, accepting even those who betrayed him.

Sebastian was tied to a stake on a training field so soldiers could use him for target practice.  His body was filled with arrows.  A holy Christian widow went to get his body for burial, found him alive, and secretly nursed him back to health.  When he was better, the widow begged Sebastian to get away from Rome.  Sebastian, bravely staying on, went to the emperor and told him to stop persecuting Christians.  While at first shocked that Sebastian had lived through the target practice ordeal, the emperor had no intention of changing his ways.  So, he ordered Sebastian to be cudgeled to death and thrown into the city sewers.  Another holy woman found his body and buried it in the catacombs.

We may never find our bodies riddled with arrows, but we may suffer intense pain some time, and we can pray to St. Sebastian for help to endure our suffering.  We may not be able to go undercover to support one another in faith, but we might find inventive ways to encourage our brothers and sisters every day. 

OBSERVING THE BEAUTIFUL ORNAMENTS

What are some ways we can encourage others to endure when their bodies or spirits are suffering?  

Learn More
Heart to Heart, a Catholic Media Ministry: htoh.us
420 W County Line Rd, Suite 200
Barrington, IL 60010

Submit a prayer request: htoh.us/prayers

Support our ministry with a financial gift: htoh.us/donate

Today's Ornament of Grace for Sunday of the second week of Advent is St. John the Baptist.

from Matthew 3:1-12 

“Reform your lives! The reign of God is at hand… John was clothed in a garment of camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist.  Grasshoppers and wild honey were his food…When he saw that many of the Pharisees and Sadducees were stepping forward for this bath, he said to them: “You brood of vipers!  Who told you to flee from the wrath to come?  Give some evidence that you mean to reform…”

John the Baptist, the wild looking cousin of Jesus, attracted many to the desert. Sincere people came from all over to hear him speak with authority and truth, a clear truth that cut through to their hearts and made them want to change their ways.  Others came just to make a show of repentance in order to impress the many sincere people who sought the Messiah. But John called all to repent and be baptized, and he spoke fearlessly.

Many of the Pharisees and Sadducees were among those who went to be baptized for appearances.  John, seeing their hearts, was unafraid to challenge them. He asked them to provide proof that they really wanted to change their ways. He told them to quit relying on the fact that they were children of Abraham to secure their salvation.  This is a lesson for those of us who sometimes rely on things other than a change of heart and action to open ourselves to saving grace.

Our religious education, our holy parents, grandparents, siblings or children cannot secure our redemption.  Big donations do not bring us salvation.  Showing up for Mass on Sunday, teaching, preaching, or saying prayers without heart are not the way to eternal life.  According to John, if we do not repent and truly change, then nothing else really matters.  For the record, Jesus said the same thing.

Advent is a great time to listen to John the Baptist.  He was pointing the way to Jesus.  That was his mission, and he was totally focused on it.  He was not pointing the way to the birth of Jesus because Jesus was already an adult when John appeared on the scene.  John pointed to the Messiah, as Jesus ministered by showing compassion.

John brings hope when he says that Jesus will baptize not with water, but with the Holy Spirit and with fire.  This can give us all, even the Pharisees and Sadducees among us, great hope.  When we are baptized, we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, who shares with us the power we need to change.  We cannot change by ourselves. Jesus and John understood this.

Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to give us the strength and gifts we need to do the will of God, no matter how difficult that may be for us.  One of the gifts of salvation is to share in the very life of God through Baptism and the other sacraments.  The only requirement is that we welcome this grace, that we really want to change and do all we can to cooperate with God’s plan for us.  We cannot fake goodness; it has to come from the heart or it is nothing at all.

John the Baptist lived without fear.  He was so bold that he did not hesitate to call King Herod Antipas to repentance.  Herod threw John into prison.  Herod’s illegal wife Herodias schemed so that a drunken Herod would have the Baptist beheaded.  But John stood strong until the end of his earthly life, and he still calls us to do the same.

OBSERVING THE BEAUTIFUL ORNAMENTS

How can we repent sincerely and focus fearlessly on pointing the way to the Lord? 

Learn More
Heart to Heart, a Catholic Media Ministry: htoh.us
420 W County Line Rd, Suite 200
Barrington, IL 60010

Submit a prayer request: htoh.us/prayers

Support our ministry with a financial gift: htoh.us/donate