Merry Christmas!This year in AdventI’ve been noticing contrasts.Tomorrow’s gospel,the prologue to John’s gospel,is about the contrasts between light and dark.The light shines in the darknessand the darkness does not overcome it.This Advent, though,I’ve noticed the contrasts betweenShimmering commercial Christmas spirit out thereand the waiting of Advent in here.I observed the contrast betweenthe prophets’ call to […]

God is the actor in Luke’s Gospel.God is the actorin all salvation history,but you really can’t ignore itwhen you read Luke.In the gospel passage I readand Mary’s Song that we proclaimed togetherwe have contrasts –which I mentioned last week –and God decisively the actor.Mary has just said yes to carrying God’s childand she goes to

Historically today has been a bit of a breakfrom the solemnity of Advent.Gaudete Sunday,Rejoice Sunday.That’s why we’ve gota pink or rose candle burningand some places even have vestmentsand altar dressings to match!Rejoice!This week continues where last week left off.John is still in the desertpreparing the way of salvation.Crowds are coming to be baptizedin a baptism

We’re transitioning.We’re moving.Since All Saintswe’ve been hearingabout the end of time.It’s getting more urgent nowas we get closer to Christmas.Our gospel text isn’t Jesus talkingabout when all things are made right.Jesus isn’t even in the gospel passage today.We’re getting a hingefrom the apocalypticto the immediate,from when the Son of Man comes in his gloryto the

God’s story of the redemption of creationimpacts the whole of creation.Not only has Jesus come into the cosmosto save the entire cosmosthe cosmos announces his presence.Think about our Christmas and Epiphany narratives:A new star appearsand shepherds hear the angelic choruses.On Good Friday at Jesus’ deaththe earth groans in an earthquake.As Fred Craddock says,“There is no