Category: Advent

Central idea: The road to the Kingdom of God. Doctrine and practical application: Prayer for the coming of the Kingdom of God.

Central Idea: We will always be ready to meet Christ our Judge if every day we are humbly making the effort to obey his commandments out of love. Doctrine: The Theological virtue of Charity. Practical Application: Acts of the virtue of religion; acts of love.

Central idea: Vigilance. Doctrine: The final tribulation and Christ’s Last Judgment. Practical application: Alertness.

Central idea: Mary, Virgin Most Prudent. Doctrine: The virtue of prudence. Practical application: Growing in prudence.

Central idea: Rejoice in the Lord. Doctrine: The Beatitudes. Practical application: Rejoicing in the Lord always.

Central idea: The sort of persons we should be eager to become. Doctrine: The virtue of friendliness. Practical application: Become friendlier.

Central idea: Be watchful! Be alert! Doctrine: Humble vigilance of heart in prayer. Practical application: Being a better servant.

Jesus Christ is Emmanuel, God-with-Us. The Incarnation. An Act of Faith in the Incarnation.

God is our savior from oppression, suffering, and death. The virtue of patience. Zeal in living and spreading the Faith.

Repent and do good, for the Kingdom of God is at hand. The Gifts of the Holy Spirit.

We begin a new liturgical year with the First Sunday of Advent. The Lectionary readings for this day give us glimpses of our heavenly home, first in its earthly image as earthly Jerusalem and finally as heaven itself. Our readings exort us to live so as to be ready to enter the Heavenly Jerusalem. But…