Sunday Scriptures

Our first reading this Sunday gives us an endearing vignette with little Samuel sleeping in the temple. We are told that the voice of the Lord was uncommon or “rare” in the early days of Samuel’s life. God’s revelation, and particularly his voice, is a gift. While proper discernment is needed, sometimes God’s silence can be a way of disciplining leaders whose hearts have grown cold.

The familiar dialogue between the angel Gabriel and the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Gospel of Luke is the centerpiece of the Fourth Sunday of Advent. Even the Mass’s Opening Prayer (aka “collect”) sounds familiar, because it’s prayed at the end of the Angelus.

What do you desire? What do you long for?

The possibility of hell is a troublesome truth. Not only does it run counter to what I believe to be the basic assumption of many believers these days: that is, that in the end all are saved except for the most hardened and obvious of cases. It also seems to run counter to what we do in fact know about God, and what we rightly emphasize in our efforts at evangelization — he is all good, all loving and all merciful.  Does this not preclude the prospect of his condemning men and women to eternal death?

As I write this reflection in late October, the leaves are at their peak. As you read this, those same trees are undoubtedly barren; the once-beautiful leaves are withering on the ground if not turned into mulch or compost.

Can love, let alone forgiveness, ever be commanded?

There are certain slogans and taglines that capture our attention and fire up our imagination. “Just do it” reminds us of Nike and pursuing excellence in athletic competitions. “Have it your way” calls to mind Burger King and the options available for their burger and fry combos. “Let’s go places” is a phrase by Toyota to emphasize the reliability and transportability of their vehicles.

In our media-saturated world, it’s never been easier to share our opinion. All it takes is an effortless click to post it on social media. When we feel strongly about an issue, we want others to know that we have an opinion that’s founded on virtue.