View From the Ambo

When we recognize the fruits of Christ among us, do we give our lives and strength to follow Him as did John the Baptist? Are we guiding others to be disciples?

The Blessed Virgin Mary was able to do what was humanly impossible because she relied on God's Grace, which she had from the first moment of her conception. She is the model for us who are baptized to do God's will with the grace He gives us.

With the soil ready, we need to receive the seeds of justice and peace, sown in our metanoia - repentance.

Advent is about preparing for Christ's coming, but not just remembering His first coming as an infant. We need to ready the ground for His Second Coming. Like farmers who plow the ground, we need to prepare our hearts.

If you do not have a Bible, find the Gospel of Matthew at http://www.usccb.org/bible/books-of-the-bible/index.cfm#Matthew

With the Blessed Mother as an example, are we thanking God for all the He has done for us?

Recorded at the 2016 Fall Teen Retreat

Christ is the King who suffers for us, not just with us.

Are we willing to let Him be King of our life?

This world is going to end, and when it does, do we have faith in God?

Do we live with the idea that all things will end, and live in right relationship to God and others?

We hear of the 7 brothers from the book of Maccabees, who were willing to go to their deaths rather that take a bite of pork against God's law. They understood that Heaven demands that we make decisions with eternity in mind. What are the 'little things' in our life that we need to avoid? One issue is abortion. Note that my statistic is wrong - there are annually 1.4 million abortions in America, Planned Parenthood performs 330,000 of these (the statistic that I quoted).

The live recording of our Cafe Series (an adult faith event in which a topic is addressed and questions raised - Catholics asking for faith explanations) on November 3, 2016. Topic was "Of Religion and politics". What issues do we as Catholics need to be must concerned about as we vote? Can we vote for a pro-abortion candidate? Why is abortion, euthanasia, and embryonic stem cell research a disqualifying issue. These and many more questions are addressed. Note - there is no candidate or party that is endorsed, though some are named and their stances addressed.

As we celebrate all Saints, we remember that we, too, are called to be saints. We won't be made saints in heaven unless we have sought to be saints on earth.