We’re simply asked to do what families do, which is sacrifice for each other. We work late nights to support each other; we give up jobs to be with each other; we look away from our screens; we clean up after each other, we laugh, we sit in silence, in sorrow, in solidarity with each other. And we do this with the aim of modeling the love of Christ, who sacrificed his life for all of us.
We’re simply asked to do what families do, which is sacrifice for each other. We work late nights to support each other; we give up jobs to be with each other; we look away from our screens; we clean up after each other, we laugh, we sit in silence, in sorrow, in solidarity with each other. And we do this with the aim of modeling the love of Christ, who sacrificed his life for all of us.
We must remember, however, that receiving this child is a decision. If we do not accept and embrace the presence of Jesus in our daily lives, of what use is his peaceful dominion?
We must remember, however, that receiving this child is a decision. If we do not accept and embrace the presence of Jesus in our daily lives, of what use is his peaceful dominion?
How will we labor with God, who brings down the powerful and lifts up the lowly so that as sisters and brothers we may live in dignity and equality as the one family of God?
How will we labor with God, who brings down the powerful and lifts up the lowly so that as sisters and brothers we may live in dignity and equality as the one family of God?
But with God, happiness has absolutely nothing to do with circumstances. Circumstances are temporary, while our relationship and life with God is eternal. We are to lean into this perspective, master it.
But with God, happiness has absolutely nothing to do with circumstances. Circumstances are temporary, while our relationship and life with God is eternal. We are to lean into this perspective, master it.
Guadalupe is still a locus of solidarity for women in travail, and as the patroness of the Americas she reminds us not to be afraid, even though our situations seem hopeless, and that she is here—accompanying us, rejoicing with us, hearing us into speech, encouraging our confrontations with the powerful, preparing a place where we might rest and rejoice in one another.
Guadalupe is still a locus of solidarity for women in travail, and as the patroness of the Americas she reminds us not to be afraid, even though our situations seem hopeless, and that she is here—accompanying us, rejoicing with us, hearing us into speech, encouraging our confrontations with the powerful, preparing a place where we might rest and rejoice in one another.
God isn’t interested in perfect. She is interested in our willingness to try. And, as we try, we are called to remember that we are being joyfully accompanied, in good times and bad.
God isn’t interested in perfect. She is interested in our willingness to try. And, as we try, we are called to remember that we are being joyfully accompanied, in good times and bad.
We are called to recognise Jesus, the Emmanuel, God-with-us, God never without us, not in the spectacular but in every person we meet, especially those we would normally exclude and in the small details and gestures, we often fail to notice.
We are called to recognise Jesus, the Emmanuel, God-with-us, God never without us, not in the spectacular but in every person we meet, especially those we would normally exclude and in the small details and gestures, we often fail to notice.
The crucifixion of Jesus and the death of many other martyrs for faith and justice shows that the promotion of God’s reign is not easy and entails sacrifice. The powers that be will not readily give up their dominion. But our faith provides us with the basis of hope that in the end, it is God’s reign that will last forever.
The crucifixion of Jesus and the death of many other martyrs for faith and justice shows that the promotion of God’s reign is not easy and entails sacrifice. The powers that be will not readily give up their dominion. But our faith provides us with the basis of hope that in the end, it is God’s reign that will last forever.
Today’s readings are a call to us to reflect and question where we are relying on social norms and structures rather than moving closer to the kingdom by loving our neighbor.
Today’s readings are a call to us to reflect and question where we are relying on social norms and structures rather than moving closer to the kingdom by loving our neighbor.
Are church leaders trying to protect or portray an image of the church that is more about how we hope to appear and less about the truth, that we are sinners, loved by God?
Are church leaders trying to protect or portray an image of the church that is more about how we hope to appear and less about the truth, that we are sinners, loved by God?
