Jesus said to his disciples: “Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise like a trap. For that day will assault everyone who lives on the face of the earth. Be vigilant at
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While some people were speaking about how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings, he [i.e. Jesus] said, “All that you see here—the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.” Then they asked him,
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A Homily for the Second Sunday of Advent, Year A Jesuit priest Father Mark Link tells this story: John was a contractor for a construction company. To increase his personal income, he routinely cheated on materials that went into the homes he built. He was so adept
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A Reflection for Advent In her book Saint-Watching, poet Phyllis McGinley writes: When I was seven years old I wanted to be a tight-rope dancer and broke my collar bone practicing on a child’s-size high wire. At twelve I planned to become an international spy. At fifteen my
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He [viz. John the Baptist] went throughout [the] whole region of the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one crying out in the desert: ‘Prepare the way of
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“Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means “God is with us.” –Matthew 1:23– Some years ago, I was fortunate enough to travel in Scotland along with three other priest friends. As our rented minivan bumped along the highland
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And what I say to you, I say to all, “Watch.” –Mark 13:37– Early this past summer, my friend Kevin became fascinated with a plant he saw growing at a local nursery. It was called an “angel’s trumpet.” Kevin couldn’t say enough about the plant, so I asked him
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And then they will see the Son of Man coming upon clouds with great power and majesty. –Mark 13:26– Behold, he is coming amid the clouds, and every eye will see him. –Revelation 5:7– Years ago my friend, Father Frans Berkhout, and I were on our way to
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