Advent is a time of patience and hope. Both of these virtues entail waiting. Waiting for God is sometimes very difficult, especially in trying situations. Our faith in Jesus, who is God with us and faithful to his promises, bolsters our ability to wait for him with joyful hope. Our faith overcomes the tribulation of the world and even makes us peaceful in the face of possible persecution.
--------
26:17
--------
26:17
Christ the King: Power and Patience
Christ's supreme manifestation as King will come when he returns to judge the living and the dead. Until then, we have to remain patient with his will for us. Jesus uses his power to serve others and he hides his power in order to suffer for sin. At times, we might naturally wish for him to establish his kingdom sooner, putting an end to evil and suffering. But we should always trust in his plan for our holiness and redemption, which is that we follow the longer and slower path that he himself followed.
--------
28:38
--------
28:38
(Rebroadcast) Living well, Dying well
Jesus often calls us to vigilance. We know neither the time nor the hour of his second coming and the time of our own death is certain but unknown to us. The best preparation for our judgment is found in discerning and doing the will of God.
--------
26:20
--------
26:20
Towards a More Certain Faith
Our Faith should give us great confidence in God. Waiting around for a feeling of confidence, however, rarely ever works. Rather we should treat our Faith more like the robust Truth that it is. Faith is just true, whether we feel like it is or not. This feeling dependent view of faith ends up filling us with the courage and confidence that we need and want.
--------
30:31
--------
30:31
All Saints Day: Keys to Holiness
On the Feast of All Saints we reflect on what makes saints holy. God's gift of divine filiation is at the core of sanctity. As children of God, the saints experience a freedom that was and is Christ's own liberty. We pray for a greater desire to be like them on earth so we can be with them in heaven.
"Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while." These words of Jesus Christ are an invitation to personal and intimate prayer. The meditations offered in this podcast are intended to help the listener enter into his own prayerful relationship with God. By reflecting on scenes from the Gospel, on other passages from Scripture, and on the insights of saints and spiritual writers, we can strengthen our faith in Jesus and our love for God. In the Gospel of John, Jesus says, "I have called you my friends." By regular meditation and dialogue with Our Lord in prayer, our life can be transformed into an ever deepening and loving friendship with God.