Advent Reflections – November 30, 2015

Published on November 30, 2015November 29, 2015 by Kate1 Comment

Imitating Mary

For those of you who do not know, I graduated from the University of Dayton, a Catholic and Marianist university. The university happens to be the home to the largest collections of resources of Mariology – the study of Mary. My thesis advisor, now director of the Marian Library, gave a speech for his installation as the director about why we should study Mary. He quotes Blessed William Joseph Chaminade, founder of the Marianist order: “We can say that the knowledge of the Blessed Virgin leads us to a much deeper knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

The story of Christianity begins not with the birth of Christ, but with the “yes” of Mary. In order to grow in our knowledge, understanding and relationship with Jesus, we must understand who he is and where he comes from. Jesus is fully God, so we study and learn about God. But Jesus is also fully human, so we must study and learn about Mary, his human mother.

mary-mother-of-sorrow-painting — Picture from http://theveilofchastity.com/2013/06/14/7-quick-takes-friday-vol-33/

As we study Mary, we discover her role as the first theologian, the first to “ponder these things in her heart” (Luke 2:19). Mary soaked up everything Jesus had to offer and then held it close, reflecting on what it meant. Of all Jesus’ followers, Mary is the only one who was present at both his birth and his death. She truly was his first disciple, the perfect model of what it means to follow Jesus.

So we turn our gaze to Mary, for through our study of her, we will come to more intimate communion with her Son.

How has Mary impacted your faith? Is she an active player in your spiritual journey?

Advent Reflections – November 29, 2015

Published on November 29, 2015November 24, 2015 by Kate1 Comment

A Mother’s Heart

Greetings fellow Advent sojourners. We begin a new liturgical year today, full of promise, new beginnings and hopefully some time for peace and reflection amidst the holiday bustle. I find it so appropriate that our Church begins its new year with the special season of Advent, a season of preparation, joyful anticipation and conscious waiting. Advent is a time when, at the start of our new year, we slow down to prepare ourselves anew for the Incarnation of Jesus. Jesus, the Christ, born of a woman, comes to us just as simply and humbly, asking to be born in our hearts.

With this in mind, I would like to share with you my thoughts and musings on motherhood and how each of us, male and female alike, is called to exemplify a mother’s heart in our lives as a way to fall deeper in love with Jesus. I will try to keep each day’s reflection short, to the point and hopefully, meaningful for you and your Advent journey.

Please pray for me as I write these, I will be praying for you.

May Mary, our Mother, lovingly guide us this Advent season

~ Kate

Do you have any special Advent traditions? How do you try to keep focused on the coming of Christ within the excitement of gift buying, holiday parties and, at least for me, lots of cookie making (and eating)?

Happy Thanksgiving

Published on November 26, 2015 by KateLeave a comment

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Love is a fruit in season at all times, and within the reach of every hand. – Mother Teresa

Today we celebrate Thanksgiving. Today is a day when we slow down, gather together, and bring to mind the things that we are grateful for. For some this year, there will be many things to be thankful for. Others may struggle, perhaps it was a year of hardship, difficulty or loss. Each year is unique and therefore, each Thanksgiving is filled with different hopes, joys, and sorrows.

This beautiful quote from Mother Teresa is appropriate for today. Regardless of the year you have had, love is always in season. God is Love. God’s love for each of us is never ending, untiring and ever merciful. It is never out of season, it is always in style.

It is my hope and prayer today that you are able to find time to spend with God, our creator and lover. I hope that you are able to recognize that no matter the year you’ve had, God’s love has been with you and will continue to be. When we extend our hands in thanksgiving, we realize our loving God has already filled them.

Happy Thanksgiving