Those times when the ground feels less certain under our feet are spiritually interesting. Not taking things for granted seems to be a condition for a genuine spiritual life. On the large scale, one thinks of 9/11 or the COVID-19 pandemic; on a more personal scale, an experience of this kind affects most of us at one time or another in our lives.
But it tells us something about ourselves that there is a strong tendency to return to business as usual. The lessons learned during unsettling times appear not to have a great deal of staying power.
The Church’s call to vigilance on this First Sunday of Advent is aimed not only at beginning the preparation for Christmas. It is intended to stir up our souls with the recognition that God is always breaking into the taken-for-grantedness of our lives, beckoning us to open wide our hearts to receive him in every sign of his love.
test
Merry Christmas to All! And, to All a Good Night! May the Peace of Christ Remain with You during this Christmas Season! Love, Anonymous!
We love you, Anonymous! Merry Christmas!
Thank you, Lord, for today was a good day. Prayer to St. Jude in Times of Suffering Most holy Apostle, St. Jude, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, I place myself into your hands at this difficult time. Help me to know that I am not alone. Please pray for me, asking God to send me comfort for my sorrows, bravery for my fears, and healing for my suffering. Ask our loving God to strengthen my faith and give me the courage to accept His Will for my life. Thank you, St. Jude, for the hope you offer to all who believe in you. Amen.
Thank you so much for your prayers. To know you are praying for us has truly brought peace to my heart. ???? thank you.
Jane, please read Anne's comment below, I hope that it may help you. I'm pleased that "today was a good day" for you. You and your mum are in my prayers every night. Peace!
Oh Father Dennis, oh how our brains don’t like anything that isn’t business as usual. We run into something different and have to process and process it through stories to ensure we move out of self-concern and into a place where things make sense. The beauty of your reflection is that sometimes we are in the middle of business-as-usual, but missing the message, we don’t see or we hear but don’t listen. May we be able to quiet our hearts to ready ourselves for what God is asking us to experience. Lifting Jane and her mum and Garrett. Amen.
Lord please hear our prayers and bring your light to all those experiencing natural disasters, as well as those in Haiti, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Darfur, the Sudan, in addition to all those suffering around the world - also for their strength, courage and resilience to continue walking in faith. Send them your light. Father in Heaven, have mercy on us and on the whole world! You sent Your Son, the Prince of Peace, for the salvation of the world. We pray that the Peace of Christ will reign in Haiti, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Darfur and Sudan. Please protect and send aid to those in need and all who are at-risk. We pray for peace and rebuilding– we who are working towards it and for all those who are suffering or in danger from conflicts. We pray for an end to violence and war – we pray for wisdom for all leaders who have a hand in this. Lord God please help those in most need of thy mercy. Amen
Amen!
Thank you Fr. Dennis for your reflection this morning which leads me to contemplate what it is saying to me. I do take for granted that every day of my life will be the same or even better than the day before and then one day our world as we know it is shattered. At that time we have two choices - to sink into a dark hole of despair or to call upon Jesus. Sometimes we do both in that order. And at such times my only prayer could be Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, help me Jesus. Strengthen me, stay by me, and give me your peace. And always, in his time, he answered my desperate plea and put my world back together. God is faithful and he loves us with an everlasting love. He will never abandon us and his promise is true - I will be with you always, even to the end of time.
Thank you for your wonderful and inspiring reflection ????
Anne thank you for your reflection today I will used your prayers when they are needed, often for me. Bill L thank you for reminding us of a a sinners Prayer" Sunday adoration time to refresh for the week. Please keep praying for Dennis and Shelly Christine and Stephanie my two blessed sons and those souls who have no one to pray for them and are unhappy during the holidays. Ken
Amen Anne.
Anne, Thank you for this thoughtful comment. Just whaat I needed to hear this morning.
Amen. Happy December LFF
Luke 21 has been the readings for a few days of last week! I get the sense that God wants me to look further than myself or what’s in front of me and understand His Salvation plan for humanity! Go back and read the whole chapter again to have context! *** What question was Jesus answering in Luke 21:34, “Watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware!” The question from the disciples was in Luke 21:7, “Teacher,” they asked, “when will all this happen? What sign will show us that these things are about to take place?” *** “Don’t let that day catch you unaware!” Well, I don’t carouse or get drunk, but the worries of these life…big times!!! Am I aware of each day in the big picture of God’s Salvation plan for humanity? *** It is not about what I can do (for I am unfaithful) but what Jesus said what He will do (for He is always faithful) in Luke 21:14-15, 18, 22, 27, So don’t worry in advance about how to answer the charges against you, for I (Jesus) will give you the right words and such wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to reply or refute you… But not a hair of your head will perish… For those will be days of God’s vengeance, and the prophetic words of the Scriptures will be fulfilled… Then everyone will see the Son of Man (Jesus) coming on a cloud with power and great glory… In the same way (as the fig tree example), when you see all these things taking place, you can know that the Kingdom of God is near!!! ******* Yes, a lot of bad things happened, is happening and will happen, BUT GOD! And I don’t need to focus on anything after “BUT GOD!” Full stop and period (better yet…exclamation points) on “BUT GOD!” *** Know Jesus, know His Words and know how to talk to Him in Luke 21:32-33, 36, “I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass from the scene until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will disappear, but My Words will never disappear. Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man.”
Luke 21 has been the readings for a few days of last week! I get the sense that God wants me to look further than myself or what’s in front of me and understand His Salvation plan for humanity! Go back and read the whole chapter again to have context! *** What question was Jesus answering in Luke 21:34, “Watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware!” The question from the disciples was in Luke 21:7, “Teacher,” they asked, “when will all this happen? What sign will show us that these things are about to take place?” *** “Don’t let that day catch you unaware!” Well, I don’t carouse or get drunk, but the worries of these life…big times!!! Am I aware of each day in the big picture of God’s Salvation plan for humanity? *** It is not about what I can do (for I am unfaithful) but what Jesus said what He will do (for He is always faithful) in Luke 21:14-15, 18, 22, 27, So don’t worry in advance about how to answer the charges against you, for I (Jesus) will give you the right words and such wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to reply or refute you… But not a hair of your head will perish… For those will be days of God’s vengeance, and the prophetic words of the Scriptures will be fulfilled… Then everyone will see the Son of Man (Jesus) coming on a cloud with power and great glory… In the same way (as the fig tree example), when you see all these things taking place, you can know that the Kingdom of God is near!!! ******* Yes, a lot of bad things happened, is happening and will happen, BUT GOD! And I don’t need to focus on anything after “BUT GOD!” Full stop and period (better yet…exclamation points) on “BUT GOD!” *** Know Jesus, know His Words and know how to talk to Him in Luke 21:32-33, 36, “I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass from the scene until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will disappear, but My Words will never disappear. Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man.”
Celebrating the birthdays and anniversaries for the last month of the year. Especially the one we all celebrate on the 25th. The birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Oh come, oh come Emmanuel.
Thank you, Bill.
Thank you for posting Bill. Happiest of birthdays to all the December children of God, especially the Light. Amen.
Remembering A sinner's prayer; Amen! Thank you, Holy Father, for this beautiful day and for this Gospel today. Thank you, Lord Jesus Christ, for my faith, my life and for my family. Thank you, Holy Father, most of all, for your great sacrifice and for the opportunity of forgiveness and reconciliation. Please Lord Jesus Christ have mercy. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ, King of Endless Glory. Amen Holy Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we ask that you release your warrior angels and heavenly hosts. We decry and declare that they would take us off the enemies' radar and scramble the enemies' frequencies (airwaves). Your Kingdom must come now. Your will must be done right now, as in the heavens, also on earth. Amen Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host - by the power of God - Cast into hell satan and all evil spirits that prowl about the earth seeking the ruin of souls. Amen
Living Faith provides brief daily Catholic devotions based on one of the Mass readings of the day. Published new each quarter, these reflections are written by women and men from a variety of backgrounds - lay people as well as clergy and religious. Learn more.
Receive a free reflection for Sundays every week via email
About Living Faith Living Faith Foundation Ambassador Privacy Policy F.A.Q. Contact Us
© 2025 Creative Communications for the Parish, a division of Bayard, lnc. All Rights Reserved.
test