Mary’s words at the wedding feast at Cana - “Do whatever he tells you” - offers two examples of prompt obedience and Christian discipleship. May Mary’s words encourage us to show our trust in Jesus by promptly obeying him in all things, filling our “jars to the brim” in whatever he may ask of us.

What gifts do you have? Each one has a special gift. That gift might be the gift of singing, reading, evangelizing, cooking, best mother and wife, best father and husband, best friend, best neighbor, best parishioner, etc. Gifts that are placed in your hearts by God; and gifts that are important to our parish, for the Church, for the diocese and to the world.

On this first Sunday of Ordinary Time, we recall the Baptism of the Lord. But, in addition to remembering this historical event, we also are asked to call to mind our own baptism. Why? Because our baptism isn’t just an event from the past, but a present reality that impacts every aspect of our lives.

Thank you for your devoted service and commitment to the people of God.

On this day we encounter the Magi coming from the East to worship the baby Jesus. What were the Magi? And why did they travel so far to find the Child King? What did these “foreigners” see that eluded the leaders and people of Israel?

EPIPHANY SUNDAY! Epiphany simply means the revelation of Jesus to the world. It’s a vision of hope!

It’s tempting to think that the Blessed Virgin was somehow different from the rest of us—that she knew exactly what would happen in her life and never had to work through difficult periods. Yet, she did. And in her, we see how certain trials in our lives fit perfectly within the bigger picture of God’s work - and the graces that we obtained through them.

As we enter with hope to the threshold of the year 2019, and as a new year’s resolution, make it a habit to gather your family every Sunday (or every day of the week) and say this prayer together: “God, bless our family, make it like the family of your Son. / May our moments of sorrow give way to season of joy. / May our harsh words fade and be changed with loving touch. / May the tears of sorrow always be replaced by the music of laughter. / May the resentment be banished from our home and let forgiveness reign in our hearts today and forever.” Amen!

Many Catholics are familiar with the story of “the Visitation,” when Mary and Elizabeth met. But many don’t know why the scene of two expectant mothers greeting each other is so important. Apart from affirming Mary’s miraculous pregnancy, the scene also shows Mary’s service and humility as she travelled a long distance to assist her older relative Elizabeth. We should ask if we’re willing to go the extra mile – or several – to serve others.

Fourth SUNDAY of ADVENT! We’re now knocking at the door of heaven! Two New Testament great women, Mary and Elizabeth - filled with faith and love, made it possible for us to go this far.

The Third Sunday of Advent is traditionally called Gaudete, or Rejoice, Sunday—and all of the readings for this week invite us to do just that. This first reading from the prophet Zephaniah opens with a threefold call to joy, “Shout for joy… sing joyfully…. Be glad and exult with all your heart” (Zephaniah 3:14). Israel rejoiced in the presence of her saving God, but this joy can only be made complete in the coming of the Messiah.

Time travels so fast! It’s already the Third Sunday of Advent! Beginning today, there are 10 days, 240 hours and 14,400 minutes more to go before Christmas. We are getting closer to the doorstep of Christmas 2018. But how meaningful it will be if every single minute is dedicated to more loving, more forgiving and more giving!

Any experienced driver knows that a road that zig-zags takes longer than a straight path to get to a destination. The same is true spiritually, as we see in today’s reading. But the question is: why were the roads to God crooked in the first place?

Today, my prescription to all of you during the SEASON of ADVENT is this: “Take one REPENTANCE TABLET a day to drive temptation away!”

If the first Sunday of Advent marks the beginning of a new liturgical year, why does the Gospel focus on endings as it talks about the sun and moon darkening and the stars falling from the sky? We’re supposed to be preparing to celebrate Jesus’ birth as the Messiah, not hear about the end of the world. What’s going on here?

Throughout the First Sunday of Advent, our mission is: “Be vigilant and pray! Be whisperers of abundant hope!”

This Sunday brings the liturgical year of the Church to its culmination. At the close of the year, the Church draws our attention to Jesus’s Kingship and the coming of his Kingdom through this Sunday’s readings.

We’ve all heard predictions about the impending end of the world. We are often fascinated with the possibility of the end of the world, but this interest can easily become distorted and misconstrued. When we obsess over trying to solve the puzzle of when the world is going to end, we miss the Gospel message the Jesus was really preaching.

A widow in Jesus’ time would have been one of the most outcast in society. With no man to own property, home, or bring in an income, she would be struggling to get by. And yet, with great humility and great courage, she still presents herself in the Temple, showing her brave faith. She trusts in God’s word. She hopes in his promise. And she gives all that she has. While no one else may notice, Jesus does. He notices the ways in which we empty ourselves when we don’t think we have more to give. Jesus sees. Jesus sees the mother who gets up for the sixth time in the middle of the night to comfort her crying baby. Jesus sees the father who takes up the daily grind to provide for his family, exhausted and wanting for a respite. Jesus sees the child who shares their Cheerios snack with a friend. Jesus sees us. And our reward for these moments of quiet humility and generosity will be great.

The imagery of sight and blindness pervades the readings for this Sunday. The Church uses this metaphor to help us understand how we are blinded by sin and are in need of Christ's light in order to follow him.