Dear Preachers:

AN END OF THE YEAR APPEAL

In our liturgical celebrations and daily prayer, we frequently pray for vocations.

I live in a novitiate community of the Southern Dominican Province, USA.

I can say that I have seen visible evidence that our prayers have been heard, for we have four vibrant novices spending their first year in the Order with us.

Please join us in praying for them as they discern their vocations.       

"First Impressions” is a free weekly preaching ministry. If you can help support this ministry, as well as help with the training of our novices, we would appreciate it. We pray for you, our friends and benefactors daily. If you have someone, or something special you would like us to pray for, please let us know.

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"First Impressions"

Dominican Friars

3150 Vince Hagan Dr.

Irving, Texas    75062-4736

Or:  For an online donation go to:  

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Thank you.

The opening line of James’ letter today certainly sets an Advent tone. “Be patient brothers and sisters until the coming of the Lord.” We often speak of Advent as a time that requires patience and waiting. But it is not a passive waiting, merely putting up with the trials life presents to us in our society.

James gives us the image of a farmer who waits for the “precious fruit of the earth,” trusting that time, patience and God’s providence will bring growth. He reminds us at this Advent time to live in faith in what is unseen, “not yet.” He is inviting us to trust that time and God’s providence will bring growth.

Patience is not easy during testing times. Testing might be as we struggle with personal issues in our families, local community and diminished health. The bad news in our world of national and international strife can also test our patience. Advent patience is active as we, in James’ imagery, tend the soil of our hearts through prayer, repentance and compassion. We are like the farmer and must do as much as we can to prepare. But we are reminded that we are not in control and must surrender the outcome to God’s timing.

The good news, James tells us is, that “the Lord is near.” That nearness gives us strength as we wait in a “not-yet world.” We are tempted and can grow discouraged. Indeed, James reminds us, God is with us as we wait and already at work in the hidden places: in quiet conversations, small acts of mercy, the early signs of light present even before sunrise. Have we noticed?

He also cautions us not to grumble against one another. In our waiting we might grow impatient with God which can spill over to impatience with one another. Advent invites us to be gentle to see others who are like us, pilgrims on the road to redemption.

In today’s gospel we meet John the Baptist in prison, sending his disciples to ask Jesus, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” This is a poignant moment in the gospel. John was the fiery prophet who had proclaimed the coming of the Messiah. Jesus had come, but he doesn’t seem to be what John expected. John sounds like he is wrestling uncertainty; might even be wondering if he had gotten God’s message right. He lives in a state we know as well: between promise and fulfillment; between what has begun in Christ and what we still await and hope.

John voices our own questions in Advent when we ask, “Lord, where are you? Are you really present at this time in our world?” The world is in deep pain, spiritual and as well as physical.  The delay in God’s promises being fulfilled can cause us to wonder if God and the kingdom are really near. That is our Advent question and besides raising the question we are also invited to listen to Jesus’ gentle reply.

Here is the answer Jesus gives to John’s disciples about himself. “The blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised ands the poor have the good news proclaimed to them.”

Jesus does not argue or explain. He points to what’s happening: healing mercy and transformation. Aren’t those signs of God’s kingdom? Advent faith invites us to look for those same signs. They may be small and hidden, or right before our eyes, hard to miss. These signs announce to us to God’s saving power is still at work among us. Do we not see? How can we participate in them?

We note the beatitude in today’s gospel, “Blessed is the one who takes no offense at me.” This is an Advent challenge because God’s ways can surprise or unsettle us. We can’t stumble when Christ comes to us in a form we do not expect in the poor, and suffering, in the slow process of grace. Faith means trusting that even when we do not see everything clearly, God’s promises being fulfilled.

John the Baptist is a reminder to us that even the prophet of fiery conviction struggles to understand how God is working. Like him, we too may wonder: where is God’s kingdom? Why does it seem delayed when the world needs it to come in its fullness?

Today is the third Sunday of Advent, also called “Gaudete Sunday.” It is customary to light the third candle in our Advent wreath, the “Rose candle.” With its lighting we are reminded that joy grows in patient faith, the kind of trust that even when the world seems dark, God’s light is already dawning.”

Click here for a link to this Sunday’s readings:

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121425.cfm

RESOURCES

Have you visited our webpage recently?  There you will find an abundance of English and Spanish resources, which include: 50 essays on preaching; over 80 book reviews; Spanish homiletical material for both Sundays and weekdays; and much, much more.  Go to: preacherexchange.com  and take a look at the topics posted on the left. 

ALSO...

On our webpage, in the “Preaching Essay” column, you will find “Preaching Matthew.”  Throughout the Sundays of this new year Matthew will be our main gospel.  This essay will be helpful for preachers as well as scripture reflection groups and personal meditation.

[Here is a short prayer to accompany the reflection on Matthew 11:2–11 for the 3^rd Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday)]

Advent Prayer

Lord Jesus,

you are the One who was promised,

the light that dawns in our darkness,

the joy that quiets our fears.

When we grow weary or impatient in waiting,

help us to see the signs of your presence all around us —

in kindness shared, in mercy given, in hope renewed.

Give us the faith of John the Baptist,

who sought you even in his uncertainty,

and the courage to point others toward your coming.

As we rejoice this Advent,

strengthen our hearts with your peace,

and make us ready to welcome you —

now and when you come in glory.

Amen.

JUSTICE BULLETIN BOARD

The desert and the parched land will exult; the steppe will rejoice and bloom.

— Isaiah 35:1

“Rejoice!” I say, “Rejoice!” The third Sunday of Advent, so called from the first word of the Introit at Mass (Gaudete, i.e. Rejoice), calls upon the faithful to worship with joy, "The Lord who is now nigh and close at hand." While our attitude during Advent is one of anticipation and preparation, this Sunday’s liturgy symbolizes that joy and gladness in the promised redemption /salvation should never be absent from the heart of the faithful.

Many Christians have reduced “salvation” to assurance of a blessed afterlife with God. However, if we look at biblical words translated as “salvation,” we find that they convey meanings of healing, wholeness, and right relationships. The human person can act on these three meanings of salvation. As Isaiah points out, salvation begins on this earth.

One of the best ways we can make a difference and bring about a bit of salvation is to advocate on behalf of the poor and the earth against unjust situations. Here are some avenues:      

1 . Justice for Immigrants JFI’s primary objectives are to educate the public, especially the Catholic community, about Church teaching on migration and immigrants; to work for positive immigration reform articulated by the bishops;  and to organize Catholic networks to assist qualified immigrants obtain the benefits of the reforms. Contact Luisa Martin-Price.

2.The Reflecting Pool A contemplative group that studies and reflects on the subject of racial justice with the hope of action toward a more equitable world. We meet once a month remotely by Teams. Lauren Green, Master Catechist, is the facilitator.  

3.Laudato Si’ Circle A group that meets monthly by Zoom to pray, reflect, and act on how to live out being stewards of God's creation. Parishioner Monica Kleimeyer, a Laudato Si’ Animator, facilitates the group.

4,NC Catholics Caring for our Common Home (N4CH) is building a network of Catholics across our diocese that want to unite in hearing and responding to the cry of the poor and the cry of the earth through an integral ecological lens.     Come join any of the above! at socialconcern@hnojnc.org     

As you light the third Advent candle, reflect on what you can do to heal, to bring to wholeness, and to create right relationships. Then, rejoice in the God who is coming to be with us and who saves us by showing us how to live.

Barbara Molinari Quinby, MPS, Director

Office of Human Life, Dignity, and Justice Ministries

Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral, Raleigh, NC

FAITH BOOK

Mini-reflections on the Sunday scripture readings designed for persons on the run. “Faith Book” is also brief enough to be posted in the Sunday parish bulletins people take home.

From today’s Letter of St. James:

“You must be patient.

Make your hearts firm because the coming of the Lord is near”.

Reflection:

James gives us the image of a farmer who waits for the “precious fruit of the earth,” trusting that time, patience and God’s providence will bring growth. He reminds us at this Advent time to live in faith in what is unseen, “not yet.” He is inviting us to trust that time and God’s providence will bring growth.

So, we ask ourselves:

1.       Where in my life am I being called to wait with faith rather than anxiety?

2.       How can I “make my heart firm” through prayer, or service, during this Advent season?

3.       In what way can I practice gentleness and patience with others as I prepare for the Lord’s coming.

POSTCARDS TO DEATH-ROW INMATES

“One has to strongly affirm that condemnation to the death penalty is an inhuman measure that humiliates personal dignity, in whatever form it is carried out.”

---Pope Francis

Inmates on death row are the most forgotten people in the prison system. Each week I am posting in this space several inmates’ names and locations. I invite you to write a postcard to one or more of them to let them know that: we have not forgotten them; are praying for them and their families; or whatever personal encouragement you might like to give them. If the inmate responds, you might consider becoming pen pals.

Please write to:

• William Raines        #0526698    (On death row since 9/9/2005)

• Jeremy Dushane     #0940436    (2/17/2006)

• Derrell Maness        #0531753    (4/4/2006)

--Central Prison P.O. 247 Phoenix, MD 21131

Please note: Central Prison is in Raleigh, NC., but for security purposes, mail to inmates is processed through a clearing house at the above address in Maryland.

For more information on the Catholic position on the death penalty go to the Catholic Mobilizing Network: http://catholicsmobilizing.org

DONATIONS

“First Impressions” is a service to preachers and those wishing to prepare for Sunday worship. It is sponsored by the Dominican Friars. If you would like “First Impressions” sent weekly to a friend, CLICK HERE.

If you would like to support this ministry, please send tax deductible contributions to:

Fr. Jude Siciliano, OP

St. Albert Priory

3150 Vince Hagan Drive

Irving, Texas 75062-4736

Make checks payable to: Dominican Friars.

Or go to our webpage to make a secure online donation:

https://www.PreacherExchange.com/donations.htm

RESOURCES

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 1.    “FIRST IMPRESSIONS”

a.     A preacher's early reflections on the upcoming Sunday's readings and liturgy, always at least one week ahead of the Liturgical Calendar.  “A tool to help Preachers prepare for their next trip to the Ambo.” Available in Spanish & English and authored by Fr. Jude Siciliano, OP.

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2.   “VOLUME II”

    These reflections follow the Liturgical Calendar and appear here about mid-week each week. They are written by various guest authors.

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